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After I give Wynnter back his coat, close the wooden door, and head inside, I let my mind work with that idea. Dazed and cold, I wonder if my parents accepting him and loving me and supporting my decision even when it’s not anything close to what they’d want for me is something worth hoping for.

It’s the best I can think of, even if I don’t have any faith in it.

I also didn’t have any faith that Wynnter would love me, though, so maybe…just maybe…

“Devina.”

My stomach drops, and I look up to find my father standing at the height of the steps.

His expression hardens. “What were you just doing outside?” He marches, and I jerk back.

“Daddy, I—”

He grabs my wrist, inspects my face. “Tell me. Right now.”

I choke on my words.

“Was it Forrest? Did he arrange to meet with you at this hour?” His fist clenches, crushing my bones. “Devina, you should know better than that. I understand that you two hit it off well this evening, but, princess, he is still a man.”

“It wasn’t… I didn’t meet with Forrest. Promise.”

“No? You’re just going on walks in the middle of the night now?”

I hedge, “Yes?”

His expression sours, then he’s dragging me up the stairs, to my room.

My heart races, and my throat closes. “Daddy, please.” My voice breaks.

He pushes me inside my bedroom, lifts a finger, and says, “I’m very disappointed in you. Your mother and I will talk about this in the morning, and we’ll make a decision where it concerns Forrest then, too. I don’t know if I want you with a man willing to run around with you in the middle of the night the day after meeting you.”

“But I didn’t meet with Forrest!”

“This discussion is over, Devina.” His nostrils flare. “I was once at a rebellious age, too. Don’t think for a moment I don’t know what meeting a man in the middle of the night might mean. I just pray you used a modicum of sense and did not go that far.” Looking injured and ill, my father closes my door on me, and the lock latches.

Hopeless, I slip to my knees and let my forehead rest against the wood before me as all my grandiose delusions of best shatter and fade away.

I should have gone with Wynnter.

I should have just…said screw it and left.

Chapter 8

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Screw it.

December

I’m grounded. For two weeks. My parents decided it would be “unwise” to accuse Forrest of trying something with me, so they deemed that if he is willing to wait two weeks before seeing me again, maybe they could mark our illicit meeting off as youthful urges.

After all, he really is such a good match, right? Young. Wealthy. Kind enough.

And if we can’t control ourselves, we’ll be married soon anyway, won’t we?

In my mother’s words, he’s a bit odd, just like your friend August.

So of course I “like him.”