THE CHASE OF STARDUST

mb, shattering the fragile

rough sleepless nights and endless sacrifices was being doused by the people who were supposed to protect her. Her urge of car

"It's time to think about what's best for you," he said quietly, his

ouldn't

nail driven into the

anted to scream, to fight back, to tell them that they were ruining everything. But instead, she clenched her fists and took a deep breath."I can't," she wh

thinning. "Enough, Raneya," he snapped. "Thi

leased, venomous. "See, Ma? She's still talking back. Sti

stick cau

nderclap. "How dare you turn your back on everything we've given you? All we've done for you-an

am

ld. It clouded every decision, every choice, every ho

age and despair. Her eyes, though bri

clung to the last remnants of her resolve.. "I will not let your fears and your narro

of si

hen i

nderous crack

he sting bloomed instantly across her face, but the true pain lay deeper-in the betrayal. In the real

ed. Even Aan

deadly quiet. "You will marry this man," he said, eye

ttering into a million pieces. Her chest rose and fell, each breath jagge

the hallway, past Aanya's satisfied smirk and her mother's teary scorn, down to her room.

her with a finality th

ic

ock t

was

like a secre

her body trembling. Her cheek throbbed, but her soul screamed louder. She c

ne c

ked if sh

ls to the groom's family, discussions of tea sets an

g her cage while