Fourteen

Moore

“What?” I found myself asking, breaking his rules again.

How in the world is he expecting me to get the whole vicinity cleaned? I'm so tired.

I was made to dance, play games, and pretend to be happy during the party. To make things worse, Dad kept avoiding me too.

The party would have been wonderful if I were really marrying for love. It would have been one of the happiest days of my life, but no, it was a disaster. Any chance I had with Madam Isabel? She kept pleading that I behave well so he doesn't ruin our family's reputation.

“You don't learn, do you?” Annoying as it should be, I found myself admiring her voice. “I see why you ended up in jail.”

Whatever his rules were, I will not sit and watch another woman speak trash about me.

“And I see why he chose to marry a woman convicted of murder over you, a prestigious, flawless daughter of the president!”

My words got to her. It was evident as she swelled with anger and landed a fierce slap on my cheek.

“How dare you!” she groa