章 30: Chapter 30

Diara had smiled at him that day, a sweet, gentle smile that she thought could ease Raymond's concern. She remembered the way his eyes had darkened, his brow furrowing as he tried to make her see reason. 

But in that moment, she had been so sure, so blinded by the promise of a new beginning that she couldn't hear his warnings. 

"I know you care a lot about my well-being, Ray," she had said, her voice soft, trying to reassure him. "But you have to understand — it's my choice.

 I know you don't want me to get married based on a contract. But trust me, I've got this. Kellan is a good man and will make a good husband."

Her words had been bold, confident. She had believed them, or at least convinced herself to. It was the lie she had to tell to survive. To escape. 

But Raymond's response had been as unyielding as ever, the concern etched into every word. "Diara, you don't know him as much as I do. Kellan is not a good person."