WEDDED TO REVENGE

x's

d in the airport. My eyes scanned the arrivals gate, narrowin

she wa

mile broke across her face as she waved wildly. Her dark hair bounced around he

as she waved her han

while holding her waist tightly and her arms locking aroun

miss

aid softly, more t

"Of course, I made it. You th

ouldn't be th

had one flight delay, and you're never

n the cute way she usually

op

nodded toward the exit.

etty against the curb. She whistled l

up? Making sure everyone know

timate best for my only menace of

ou're impossible. Good to kn

n to roll my

ound to the driver's side. She was already inside, he

s taste in cars, but this is... wow.

reason to take it out for a s

NALLY passed my driver's test and need a ride. Wouldn't let

p and gave her usual puppy

started the engine.

he leaned back and sighed. "It feels

has change

at's why I

enched my jaw, pushing aside the thoughts that always tried to su

ways for t

e older buildings around it. I parked the car and handed her a set of keys. She l

id all this?"

for yo

ght. I followed her inside, watching as her eyes swept over the open space. The hardwood floors gleamed under the soft ligh

mouth. "Alex... this

frame, arms crossed. "It'

imming with tears. "I d

have to say

the hug was longer, and unspoken words passed between us. Gratitude. An uns

d her eyes quickly. "You're no

d. "Not

eed to take a look from outside again. She rushed outside like a

t all looked when she caugh

she asked, curiosit

into her hands. "Wh

ressed the button. The garage door lifted with a hum, revealing th

ep forward, then burst into motion, running he

our test. Figured you

eyes gleaming. "

t cra

on. We're going for a ride. I need to prov

"I'll believe i

ggerated flourish. I settled into the passenger seat. The en

curled around the wheel, her gaze focused. For the fi

to keep i

at me. "See? I'

it t

. "You're i

ng sun. As the lights flickered on, the streets glowed gold and

r?" I

nice. I didn't come b

at day, I rolled my ey

ils. The maître d' greeted us with practised politeness and led us to a private booth. The air buzzed

ofessors, the friends she'd made abroad. I listened with a smile on my face. Her

r voice softened. "Only if Mom and Dad wer

to ice. My jaw clenched. I fel

said, my

hadowing her features. "Wh

st shou

were our parents, Alex.

nding about anyt

ilence was unnerving. We ate without say

. I focused on the road, only the steady h

fingers tapping restlessly agai

r voice trembling. "Just because they were

el tightened. "I h

ed?" she shot back, louder this tim

anted to admit. I swallowed,

! You can't just erase them because i

ure of holding everything i

sai

dlights floo

art j

lane, the driver's silhouette barel

she sc

d, the tyres screeching as we veered off