The reluctant vow

er has made the dec

hoed through the living room, sharp and unwavering. "So n

ps were pressed into a thin line, like she was trying to sta

burst out, voice trembling as she stood in the m

ped into the living room. His expression was unreadable-cold, commanding, final. "All you need to

wobbled beneath her. "You can't do thi

ness partners for over two decades. This marriage is not just a union between

witness the way her daughter's spirit was being cr

a snapped, trying to hold back the tears sti

as you bear my name, you are part of the business. And this

face

Was that what the

cheeks. Her feet pounded against the steps, matching the thunderstorm inside her chest. Once in

es pa

ess with every second. She reached for her phone on the nightstand, wiping her face with th

final show will take place in a few months, and if successful, you wil

creame

rom the bed, staring at her phone in disbelief. Her hands tremb

her phone t

pportunity she'd ever prayed for had come knocking. She was one of the finalists. She stil

in the joy, the door

her father's voice boome

in her hand. His eyes la

e you sm

ping in her chest. "They

picke

n selected as one of the finalists. The final event is

ared at her like she had said th

ot going

y, pl

of your mind? Do you think you'll be parading your body aro

in. Her joy shatter

ered. "I've worked so hard. You'v

reaming and start accepting reality. And your reality

ut

nterrupted coldly, "then

ry. The weight of hi

and left the room, leavin

he light in her eyes had dimmed. The email still gl

eam and lose her family, or give up everything sh

ed tighter aro

to let it en