SECOND CHANCE BRIDE

RI

s were clearly audible. I had no intention of listening in on their conversation-I just wanted to give them some time to talk witho

ecially with Galen's sharp, angry words. I could hear the tension in every tone of her voice, and I knew that, de

s really wanted this marriage to happen, but we were both caught in an invisible web that was bigger than both of us. I wanted to walk over there, to stop the conversation, but I remained silent, listening. Ever

My heart warmed with growing concern. Did Galen really care about Laura, or did he just feel hurt that this mar

imagine the expression on Laura's face-full of confusion, anger, and perhaps a little h

. The door to the room opened slowly, and I saw Laura walk in with a slightly blank look, as if she had just gone through a long inner battle. H

voice, trying to make room for p

if wondering why I was standing there, right in front of the room, as if waiting for a long time. "Darius," she said slowly, her slig

anxiety that was starting to creep up on me.

angry," she replied shortly, her voice barely audible. "He... he questioned

hough not all of his words were acceptable to me. I didn't want Laura to feel further burdened by it all. "You know

doubt. "I just don't know how to respond to everyt

w that I was here for her, even though I knew we were both in situations we couldn't fully control. "We'll get through

between us rise-an inexpressible feeling of anxiety and anger, as well as a desire to protect her from whatever happened. Yet

d us. I turned around, and there, stood Galen. His face was filled with lingering anger, and his pierci

thout consequences, Darius," Galen said in a lower, yet thr

n still couldn't accept this marriage, and I knew he wouldn't stop until he felt things were back to normal

anger that was starting to rise. "But this is a decision that's already

gly intense gaze. "Don't let yourself get caught up in a wor

ing, and I could feel that this

*

ence. Laura took off the jacket that was clinging to her shoulders, and I could see how her body drooped slightly, as if a heavy burden was gradually being released. I didn't

anipulated Galen earlier, but I feel satisfied, too, that he's finally jealous," she said in a tone of unconcealed worry. "He's ove

d all her actions, there was a deeper pain. Galen was not an easy person to conquer, and I could sense that their relationship h

open up the conversation, though my heart was a little

anyone. I just wanted Galen to know what it's like when people he thought he could control can now stand on their own." She sighed sof

aura. Her and Galen's relationship was complicated, and sometimes, I felt so far removed from what she was going through. "I unders

I could feel that burden even though she tried hard not to show it. However, there was something bigger t

le. "Laura," I began in a more serious voice, trying to distract her from h

rest. "Our deal?" She asked, her voice trembling slight

t before, but the situation is different now. We can't go on like this, especially with all the

ing to internalize the meaning of what I had just said. "You want to separate the rooms?" she

easy. I just think that, for now, we need space-both physical and emoti

We've started with a fragile foundation. None of this wil

y it, that she was also struggling with the fact that we were on such an uncertain path. "I understand," she said finally, voice low

need time to understand each other without constant pressure. I want us both to have room to grow, even if it's

g on her face. "I don't know if this will work, Darius," sh

er some comfort. "That's all we can

n to ease little by little. There was no perfect solution, and no easy