FINDING ELENA
My arm still tingled where he’d gripped it earlier.
My father followed a few steps behind.
I stood there, in my white dress, that suddenly felt like a curse. My hair fell loose over my shoulders - the way Mom liked. The thought of her seeing me like this broke my heart all over again.
“Let’s get this over with,” Brad said, his tone light and almost cheerful.
The officiant hesitated, glancing briefly at me, then at my father. “Is this… an arranged marriage?”
Brad's smile didn’t reach his eyes. “What we got is a mutual understanding.”