18

Mount Pleasant

Adrian turned his gaze back to Bella, his eyes bloodshot with disbelief. Slowly, he began, “Mom, is this true? Are you seriously arranging a marriage for me without even telling me? With that village girl? Tell me the truth...are you really doing this?”

His eyes widened even more, though he didn’t realize it himself.

Willow, standing nearby with her hand over her mouth, gasped theatrically and started waving her arms dramatically. “Oh wow, I’ve seen it all now. Just like that, you’re forcing a marriage on him...something he never asked for or agreed to! I mean, look at him...this refined young man....how can you even match him with her? Please, I saw this coming... This is pure betrayal, honestly. Don’t fall for it, Adrian. And as for Dahlia, there isn’t a single kind of man she hasn’t gotten involved with... every corner of the neighborhood knows her. I just came to see how she’s been living here, and suddenly, I meet her fiancé!”