Marriage Pact

A'S

presence. The weight that usually pressed down on me from every corner of the house has lifted, if only

floors and crystal chandeliers. But to me, it was nothing more than a gilded cage. Every orn

's time is running out; just two months left.

reading, daydreaming and counting down the days until Kai's inevitable departu

for dinner. I wasn't thrilled about it, but

ttired in a fitted purple dress that emphasized her tall, slim figure. Her wavy dark hair was done up in a high ponytail, and her makeup was flawless to contra

ed her for the situation I was in. But I blamed my father for putting h

e careful. You shouldn't run at this speed. You are st

ng to anything she said. "I've missed you s

she said, muffled and hoa

go of her straight away, a

y sis." Her eyes sparkled w

n the plush chairs. For a moment, it felt

e you been,"

etting by," I

with a smile. "I have a m

t the mention of his name

Zara. He said he'll wait for you, till Kai is gone and you

through me-hope, longing

ing in her tone that made me uneasy. "But,

" What do

through so much, and who knows how Liam will feel after everything? Do you also think you

me. "Once Kai is dead, I'll be free. Mrs Adler only cares about th

perhaps or something deeper. "I just don't want you to get hurt, Za

ep in. "I have to believe in this, Lena. It

nd. "I understand. Just... be careful. I

have been through too much to let go now. He loves me and

ssion remained troubled. "I h

ent, the weight of our conv

es, and she had been our biggest cheerleader sinc

limpse of what life could be like when he's finally gone; I was more resolved than ever to ma

r arrived-a pointed reminder of the

o many dishes, the array on the table looking too beautiful to eat. The irony did not

hick with unspoken words. Lena squeezed my h

thering. I had no interest in being a part of this

hope you've been comfortable in Kai's absence, Z

"Yes, thank you. I

ay almost instantly. He felt no right to give way to emotions that would g

e unborn child inside me and the unknown future lying ahead engrossed my mind. Lena, noticing my un

pen it, and in a moment, Ethan entered the dining room. I had seen him two or

slicked back, neat behind his ears. His mannerisms were such that he n

trung, his usual relaxed air repla

Adler said, her tone curious

, his eyes locking onto mine for a secon

was just an opportunity for me to finally breathe without him looming o

dened. "What is it,

oom. "Kai wasn't in London for business," he said, his v

trying to get my head around what Ethan was saying. Sur

was incredibly risky, with only a 30% chance of survival. B

well-thought-out plan for getting my life back after Kai died and after the baby

r looked as though he had been hit by an electric shock. Len

comes back?" I stammered,

fraction. "He's regaining consciousness now. H

ed. I would be stuck here with Kai again, at the mercy of his unstable moods and m

hrough me. How am I going to survive this? How do I protect

een given a taste of freedom, only to whisk it away. Now, with Kai returning wit

f those who had shaped my destiny: My father, Mrs Adler, Ethan-realizi

Ethan spoke again, his voice cuttin

yes now focused solely on me. "Kai...he'

round me, and I could barely breathe. Kai was co

e edge, terrified of what a