Bound To Be; the marriage bargain

Chapt

ong but you just can't pinpoint the problem. I felt this unusual emptiness and it has been ages since I last felt this way. My eyes fell on the mini family portra

rom the work landline" the voice of t

the telephone to me. If there is anything I am awful at, it is recalling names. It'

wered the call expecting it to be a ro

llard on the line. How can I help you?" I

on the other end was calm but too

, clients prefer to contact their planners directly when they

tal in Bellevue. We've had issues trying to contact you since last night. B

fficer call me from the hospital? "Okay...i

. Your parents have been involved

the. My mother's laughter, warm and unrestrained, echoed in my ears. My father's deep reassuring voice calling me "Cal". Those so

bled as I clutched the phone, it's edges digging into my palm, and the brown earthy carp

umbled with my phone and keys trying t

the feminine voice of the new i

se fill in for me?" I responded, standing up quickly with my ba

rant me even a moment of warmth. My reflection in the office building's glass door startled me-wide eyes ringed with smudged mascara, pale

y vision blurred as tears continuously streamed down my cheeks. I guess this was it – all that feeling of emptiness. I needed comfort

or me. Louis, with his steady deep blue eyes and easy smile that always seemed to chase away the shadows o

ghter floated from the bedroom, muffled yet unmistakable. My heart clenched, a small warning, bu

warm tones and mismatched furniture that Louis and I had picked out together, suddenly felt oppressive.

s I made my way to the bedroom, my heels sinking into the plush

ed the

his sandy blond hair disheveled in a way that wasn't from sleep. Next to him was a red lacy panti

ough with panic, but I couldn't bear t

allowed, trying again, but the words tangled in my throat. My h

It's not what you

ed heart. I could barely think straight, even the clock seemed to have paused for a split second. I wa

shirt. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, and her bright green eyes sparkled

hen at Louis, whose deep blue eyes now looked anywhere but at me.

y !" I