With who my parents were, I really had the world at my fingertips when it came to having opportunities in my life. I might not have had the family life I wanted, but I never wanted for anything else. I went to the best private schools, giving me the tools I needed to succeed in the path of my choosing. Yet every time I’d sit down and try to think of what I wanted to do with my life, all that ever came to mind was having a family of my own.
A lot of other families were like mine, but there were a few other girls who stood out. Their parents were always showing up and being such an active part of their children's lives. I could even see how in love they were with not only their children but their spouses too. I’ve longed for that. For all those simple things in life.
Once I lost my parents, I knew I would have that one way or another. It made me realize that life is too short not to do what makes you happy. I vowed to myself that I wouldn’t end up like my parents. That my life would be more than social events and pretending to be happy. That was until my father went and threw a wrench into that with his ridiculous stipulations in the will. I’ve finally gotten it all worked out. I can't allow myself to be in a loveless marriage. I don’t understand why Leo would want that either.
My stomach starts to sour when I think about how this conversation might go with Leo when we see each other again.
“I think I’m going to head home,” I tell Sol after our first class is over. I haven’t been able to pay a second of attention to class because I can’t stop my mind from racing.
“Something wrong? You’re looking a bit pale.” She puts the back of her hand to my forehead.
“Think I need some sleep or something.” Sol scrunches her nose.
“My brother really can’t keep his hands off you enough to let you sleep? That’s both disgusting and kind of adorable.”
“I didn’t say that!” My face rushes with heat.
“I’m teasing you.” She bumps my shoulder with hers as we walk out of the classroom. “I love how Leo and you are now. I haven't seen him this happy in…” She pauses. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this way, come to think of it.”
“Really?” Her words give me a flame of hope.
“Yeah, really. He doesn’t want to get divorced. That says it all.” I’m not sure I can agree with her there. I need more than that.
“I’m going to head home, but I’ll send the driver back.”
“I can catch the bus.”
“Why, when we have the driver sitting around either way?”
“Fine,” she huffs, finally giving in before we say our goodbyes. I head back home but not before making a quick stop. I’m thankful when I get back to the house and no one is actually there. I go straight up to my bedroom and into the bathroom to take the pregnancy test I grabbed from the store. I think it might be a bit early, but I’ve been feeling a bit off. Maybe it’s because of what happened this morning, but my emotions are all over the place. I can’t seem to get a hold of them.
“Tinsley!” I quickly wash my hands when I hear my name bellowed through the house. When I step out of the bathroom, Leo bursts into the bedroom. “Sol said you’re not feeling well. What’s wrong?” He rushes over to me. He immediately does the same as Sol and checks my forehead.
“I’m fine.” His hands cup my cheeks, his eyes searching my face.
“Should we go to the doctor? What exactly is bothering you?”
“I’m just a bit tired and out of sorts today. It’s nothing to worry about.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince him of that or myself.
“You’re lying,” he challenges. I open and close my mouth. “You won’t meet my eyes. Is this about this morning?”
“We need to talk about that.” A tick forms in his jaw. I watch as he takes a controlled breath, trying to get control of his emotions.
“There is nothing to talk about. You’re my wife.”
“But—”
“No buts, you married me.” His hands go to my hips, gripping them in a firm hold. “You sealed your fate when you said I do, Tinsley. I tried. I fucking tried to stay away from you. To keep you at arms’ length, but you kept giving me small tastes of what I’ve been wanting from the moment you stepped into my path. Teasing me with what I could have with you.”
“Teasing you? I don’t think I’ve been doing any such thing.” I don’t even know what he’s talking about once again.