“She’s right, Fran. I’m the only son of the Armitage family. My future wife has to carry herself with grace, know how to handle herself in public. Your cousin’s more polished, more charming and if I had to choose between you two, of course I have to choose the best.”
He paused.
“But hey, at least we haven’ done it. Don’t hate me, okay, Fran? Who knows, we might still be family someday.”
Screw that! Soren and his entire family can burn in hell for all I care. I hung up, floored the gas pedal and let the road blur beneath my tears.
I made up my mind right there: I was going to move out, find a place near the hospital and never owe Aunt Hannah anything again. Whatever debt she claimed I had, consider it paid in full.
When I parked at the hospital, I took a moment to breathe, then opened my photo album. One by one, I deleted everything related to Soren. Every picture.
Every message. Then I looked up—and saw something that stunned me into silence.
All my heartbreak, all my bitterness—it vanished in an instant. Because right in front of me, I saw an opportunity. If they all wanted to play dirty, fine. I’d play right back.
