Chapter 10 - THE WEDDING THAT NEVER HAPPENED
My father announced my engagement to William without asking me.
The news appeared in society columns.
Photographs of our families accompanied the announcement.
My name was printed beneath William's.
Clare Aldrich, future Mrs. William Ashford.
I stared at the article.
My hands shook.
Then I called William.
He answered immediately.
“Clare?”
“Did you know?”
A pause.
“Know what?”
“My father announced our engagement.”
Silence.
Then William said, “He did what?”
I closed my eyes.
“You didn't agree?”
“No.”
My knees weakened.
William's voice hardened.
“Clare, listen to me. You're not engaged to anyone.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“I know.”
He continued.
“I'll have my attorney address the false announcement.”
I swallowed.
“Thank you.”
Then he said something that made me cry.
“You don't need to thank me for respecting your consent.”
That evening, the announcement was publicly corrected.
May you like
My father was furious.
But for the first time, his anger didn't control me.
