A heavy pressure settled in my chest, like a weight crushing me, forcing the blood in my heart to pulse painfully through my body. Without a word, I turned and walked upstairs, not looking back. Dave always knew how to hurt me. I never imagined that the person who loved me the most would be the one to wound me the deepest.
The next day, Mary appeared at school, radiant and captivating, just as I had imagined from her enchanting voice.
“Leave here. Leave Dave,” she declared, her intentions unmistakable from the very first word.
“Do you love him?” I challenged.
Mary sneered, “This is just a business marriage. It’s not about love. As long as it benefits the family, it could be any Robinson. It doesn’t matter.”
Her gaze hardened. “In fact, I’ve always known about your existence, but what does it matter? Dave will only marry me. All I want is to become the lady of the Robinson family.”
A smug smile spread across her face. “I’ve been the center of attention since I was a child. If he wants to marry me, he has to cut ties with anyone questionable. So, you must go.”