Chapter Twenty Seven

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and watched as mom and dad cleaned their faces with the serviette. That was rude, but I have bigger problems.

"What do you mean 'getting married'?" I asked again. "For christ sakes I'm only eighteen. And I just got here. I'm supposed to. . .live with you, get to know each other. What the hell do you mean!?" I asked again. "Don't. . .don't you want me? Are you that desperate to give me away just after you've found me?"

"Oh honey don't talk like that," mom said and reached out to place her hand over mine, but I pulled it away.

She sighed. "Emily... it was an agreement. It was endorsed since. . .well, we really needed to find you and we needed help so---"

"This is bullshit," I said, not regretting my use of vulgar words, "So you sold me so that you can find me? That doesn't make any sense."

"Please try to understand us. A deal's a deal, and---"

"Who?" I cut in.

"We don't really know, but he's a friend of ours. Very nice and kind."

They were both