No Way Out

"I already agreed"

The words hit me hard like a slap.

I stared at Don, my heart pounding. My breath was caught in my throat.

No. He didn’t just say that.

Everyone was watching me. My parents. His parents. His grandmother.

No one looked surprised. Because they already knew.

Silence stretched across the room, thick and suffocating.

I couldn't even move. I couldn't breathe. Don's words still hung in the air.

I looked at him again, my chest tightening. There was no hesitation in his eyes. No regret. Just that same frustrating calmness, like he had already accepted our fate.

I forced out a laugh, bitter and sharp. “You’re joking, right?” I said, turning to my parents. Then to his. “This is definitely a joke.” I said again but no one answered.

Dad sighed, rubbing his temples like he was exhausted. “Jess, this is for the best.” dad said