CHAPTER TWO

“Why do you stare at me?” I asked, still watching the fish dance beneath the water’s surface.

“Because I am captivated by you,” he replied without missing a beat. “And I am wondering what is going on inside that beautiful but sad mind of yours.”

Before I could stop myself, my eyes found his.

“I am thinking that I just lost the most important person in my life. Though I am deeply grieved by it, I cannot help but feel happy when I am with you. It’s as though nothing else matters when you’re beside me.”

The words left my mouth before I had the chance to reconsider them.

Once again, we found ourselves trapped in each other’s gaze.

My eyes, the metal.

His, the magnet.

Neither of us blinked.

Neither of us looked away.

I could feel him moving closer.

Or perhaps I was moving closer to him.

I couldn’t tell.

I didn’t care.

The air between us felt charged, pulling us together until only inches separated us.

A sudden splash shattered the moment, sending droplets of water over both of us.

I quickly cleared my throat.

“I should probably go. Lisa is likely worried about me. She’s hurting too.”

I rose to my feet.

“When can I see you again?” he asked.

For the first time, I saw a hint of longing cross his face.

A smile tugged at my lips.

“I’m sure you’ll find me again soon.”

“Thank you for today,” I added. “It truly helped a lot.”

“Anytime,” he replied with a soft smile. “I’ll see you around.”

He lifted a small hand in farewell.

I waved back before turning and walking away.

“You are not to be with him!”

My father’s furious voice echoed throughout the study.

Beside him stood my stepmother, Helena, glaring at me with obvious disapproval.

“You have no right to stop me!” I shouted back. “I’m twenty years old and no longer part of this household.”

Before I could react, Father crossed the room and struck me.

The force of the slap sent me crashing to the floor.

“You are my daughter, and you will do as I say!” he roared.

I stared up at him in shock.

“You will marry Thomas Francis, and you will remain confined to your room until you agree.”

He seized a fistful of my hair and yanked me upright.

Pain shot across my scalp as he dragged me from the study and towards the staircase.

Lisa stood frozen in the hallway, horror written across her face.

“Father, let her go!” she pleaded, grabbing his arm.

He shook her off and continued dragging me upstairs.

I could hear her crying behind us.

Moments later, he threw me into my old bedroom and slammed the door shut.

The lock clicked.

I remained where I had fallen.

If I moved, I feared I would shatter completely.

How could he do this?

I thought he loved me.

He had loved me once.

At least, he had before Helena entered our lives.

Ever since Mother’s death two months ago, he had changed.

Not long after her passing, he married Helena, and from that moment everything became about status, wealth, and appearances.

Together, they had spent months pressuring me to marry Thomas Francis.

Thomas was twenty-eight years old and worked as a banker. His family was wealthy, and we had known each other since childhood. He was polite enough and reasonably handsome.

But my heart did not belong to Thomas.

It belonged to John.

Father called him a nobody.

A labourer with little money and an unremarkable background.

But I did not care about wealth.

I did not care about status.

I only wanted him.

Hours seemed to pass as I sat on the floor, lost in thought.

I was supposed to meet John at the garden just after dusk.

What would he think when I failed to appear?

No.

I could not think like that.

I had to find a way out.

No matter what.

I pushed myself to my feet and looked around the room.

Dust coated every surface.

Spiderwebs hung from the corners.

I had not set foot in this room since moving in with Grandmother after Father married Helena.

The room smelled musty and abandoned.

A bare mattress sat against one wall, while an empty wardrobe occupied another.

“Does he truly expect me to stay in this cold, filthy room until it’s time to drag me down the aisle?” I muttered.

A sudden shuffling noise startled me.

“Hey, Annah. Are you okay?”

Lisa’s voice drifted through the door.

Relief flooded through me.

“How can I be okay? I’m practically a prisoner.”

I hurried over and pressed my ear against the wood.

“You have to help me escape, Lisa. I cannot and will not marry someone I don’t love. Not even for money.”

“Don’t worry,” she whispered hurriedly. “Father and Helena are preparing to meet the Francis family at the gate. They’ll be heading that way shortly.”

Hope sparked inside me.

“I’ll come get you then.”

Before I could respond, her footsteps hurried away.

I slid back down to the floor and waited.

And hoped.

Some time later, running footsteps raced up the stairs.

I held my breath.

The door handle rattled violently.

Then the door flew open.

Lisa stepped inside wearing a smug grin.

“I am the queen of lockpicking.”

Despite everything, I laughed.

Throwing my arms around her, I pulled her into a tight hug.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“You’re the best sister a girl could ever ask for.”

“You don’t have much time,” she said, her expression quickly turning serious. “They’ll be back soon. Go through the backyard and keep running until you find John.”

“What about you?” I asked, tears filling my eyes. “I can’t just leave you here.”

“I have a plan,” Lisa assured me as she ushered me downstairs. “I’ll meet you at Grandmother’s. Okay?”

I nodded.

As we reached the backyard, I wrapped her in one final hug.

“I love you, sister.”

“I love you too. Now go.”

Without another word, I turned and ran.