Emma's POV
I held back my sobs and cleared my face. I couldn't afford to let him see me like this. So I sat up and opened the door anyway as if trying to steady my nerves.
Ethan peered at my face and his face softened. "Hey baby, is everything alright?" he kissed my forehead.
I put a smile on my face which I tried to fake. "Yes, I am fine."
But that wasn't the case either, I was hurt, injured. This man who stood before me had, in a way, broken me. Still, I didn't have the strength to face him. Did he mean what he said? Perhaps I was just being paranoid.
Ethan looked at me, confusion etched on his face. "Then why aren't you dressed?"
I frowned yet again and shook my head in confusion. What was he on about? "For what?"
"We had planned this evening, remember?" he reminded me, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Oh, yes. The party. I had completely forgotten. "Sorry, I forgot. I'll be ready soon."
I quickly got dressed, my mind racing with thoughts of what had happened earlier. I pushed them aside, not wanting to ruin the evening.
As we arrived at the party, I realized that it was Amanda's welcome banquet. The same Amanda his friends were talking about. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, and I felt a pang of insecurity. I knew I stood no chance against her.
But Ethan kept showering me with affectionate gestures, holding my hand, and whispering sweet nothings in my ear. I was confused, and unsure of what was going on.
Was he trying to make Amanda jealous or he truly didn't mean what he said earlier
But the latter was the case because I saw Amanda and Ethan arguing in the kitchen later that evening, and she ran out crying. I tried to ask him what was going on, but he pushed me aside, spilling hot soup all over me. He rushed after her in panic, leaving me standing there, feeling stupid and embarrassed.
Some of the people who witnessed the incident started laughing at me, and I felt my face heat up with shame. I quickly made my way out of the party, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself.
As I walked back to my room, I couldn't help but think about how stupid I had been. I had believed that Ethan Shaw, the hottest guy on campus truly cared for me, that he saw something in me that no one else did. But now, I realized that it was all just a lie.
I returned to my room, covered in spilled soup and burns. I thought about all that had happened that day, and I felt a wave of sadness wash over me. My heart turned to ash, and I picked up my phone and called my brother Adam.
The moment he picked up the call, I said, "Hi, brother, I've made up my mind about the arranged marriage. I agree."
I waited for my brother to answer holding my breath. The silence on his end of the phone felt like forever, and I could tell he was worried.
"Emma, did something happen?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
I forced a lighthearted smile, despite the bitterness rising in my throat. "No, I've come to realize that Dad just wants what's best for me, and this marriage seems like it's best for everyone."
I could almost hear Adam doubting me, but I kept going trying to sound sure of myself. "Plus, Dad knows what he's doing. Even if it's an arranged marriage, I know you all have done your research."
Adam had always been my rock, my confidant. He had always cared for me deeply, despite our father's hostile attitude towards me. After the attack on our pack that led to the death of my mother, Adam became even more protective of me, so when this marriage proposal came up, he was the first to object.
"Emma, I know you're trying to prove a point to Dad, but you don't have to do this," Adam said, his voice softening.
I took a deep breath, trying to reassure him. "Brother, no one is forcing me to do this, I promise."
Adam sighed, seeming to accept my decision. "I'm glad you came to this decision on your own. When are you coming back? Do you want to meet him before making the final decision?"
