Thomas gives me a look when I come jogging up to the car.

“Where did you go?” he asks me.

I smile a little sheepishly. “Sorry,” I say. “I thought I saw someone I know.”

He stares at me for a second. “Did you find him?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I was just confused,” I say.

He nods and we get back into the car. Reginald glances back at me and then pulls back out into traffic, heading home.

I’ve been cooped up in the apartment for the last week, and I’m bored out of my mind. I didn’t think my father was being literal when he said I couldn’t go anywhere, but he wasn’t kidding. I only managed to get out for an afternoon of shopping by convincing Thomas to be my chaperone.

And I chose Thomas for a reason. He likes me, and he’s easy enough to trick if it comes to that. I feel bad honestly, using Thomas’s own kindness against him, but I had no other choice.

I chose a place near Gavin’s apartment and the first second I got, I ditched Thomas and ran up to Gavin’s place.

I’m glad that I did. The cellphone’s weight in my pocket is comforting as I sit there, looking out the window, ignoring Thomas’s annoyed grumbling. Nothing bad happened and my father never needs to know that I ran away, so he won’t get in any trouble. And now I have a phone to contact Gavin with, even though it’s the oldest thing I’ve ever seen.

It’s around five by the time we finally get back to the apartment. I quickly head upstairs and into my room, not bothering to stop and say hello to my parents. I’ve been ignoring them ever since they decided that I’m a captive in my own home. Peter isn’t even around to keep me entertained, since he’s away on some trip with his friends. And I’m not interested in talking to Michael.

I bite my lip as I shut my door and get into my little nook. I quickly text Gavin. “Hello? Is this thing on?”

He responds a minute later. “Safe and sound?”

“Yep!” I type back. “The smuggling operation was a success.”

“Good girl. I knew you could handle it.”

“I’m glad I finally have a way to talk to you. I missed it.”

“You missed what?”

I bite my lip, staring at the screen. “Talking to you,” I say.

“That’s not what you meant,” he responds, and I can see the insinuation in his message.

“Maybe,” I say, smiling to myself.

This is the happiest I’ve been in a while. I’ve been cooped up in the apartment, hidden away from the world, and now finally I can talk to the only person who I really feel like talking to.

My phone vibrates with a response from him, but I don’t get a chance to see it. There’s suddenly a knock at my door, and I panic a little bit. I turn off the phone and hide it in with the vibrator before getting up and answering the door.

It’s Michael, frowning in at me. “Father sent me to get you,” he says. “We’re having dinner.”

“I’m not hungry,” I say, and go to shut the door.

Michael puts his hand out and stops me. “This isn’t optional. Milo is here.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Milo’s here right now?”

“Yes,” he says. “So please, put on something nice and come down to dinner. You’re expected shortly.”

“And if I don’t come?” I ask him. “Are you going to tattle on me?”

He sighs, shaking his head. “That was for your own good, Sadie. You think I wanted to do that?”

“Yes,” I say to him, staring him in the eye.

“Fine, go ahead. Hate me. But I’m your older brother, and I can’t sit around and let you make a mistake like dating Gavin Waller.” Michael can’t even say Gavin’s name without looking absolutely disgusted.

“I’m an adult, Michael,” I say to him. “My mistakes are my own. You can’t control the world.”

“Maybe,” he says. “But you still have to come down to dinner. So please, just come.” He turns and leaves without another word.

I sigh and head back into my room. The last thing I want to do is have family dinner with Milo. I know my parents are going to try and set us up again, but I have no choice. I can’t just ignore it like some little girl.

I get changed and head downstairs. I know I’m in for something painful, but I have to do it anyway. I’m determined to get my family to finally recognize that I’m a person with my own wants and needs, not just a pawn in their political game.

The family is seated at the dining room table, everyone except for Peter. Milo sits in Peter’s usual spot. I take the seat across from him, and he smiles as I sit down.

“It’s nice to see you,” Milo says to me.

“Good to see you, too,” I say. I don’t bother looking at my father.

“We were just discussing Milo’s business venture,” my father says. “It’s quite interesting.”

I glance at Milo. “What is it?” I ask him.

“Oh, nothing fancy. Just a little consulting firm. I’m helping tech developers secure funding for their projects.”

“He’s doing quiet well,” mother says, clearly more impressed by his income than by his skills.

“I didn’t know about that,” I say, already bored of this.

“I’ve been keeping it private,” Milo says. “But you’re like family now. So I might as well share.”

I look up at him quickly. That last comment was strange. What does he mean, we’re like family now? That doesn’t seem right. As far as I know, he’s still just the son of a family friend at best, even though my parents do want to marry me off to him. Did something happen?

Before I can ask, the first course is served. Father, Michael, and Milo all begin to discuss the latest market trends, and I quickly tune them out. I wish I had my phone so that I could message Gavin, but that would be akin to suicide. Instead, I have to settle for ignoring the man my family wants me to marry in favor of dreaming about the man I actually want.

It’s an awful situation, but there’s nothing I can do. I get through dinner with the minimum amount of pain, only responding when I absolutely have to. That’s fine with the men, of course, since they’re more interested in hearing themselves talk than they are in anything I might have to say.

The main course comes and goes and eventually we’re all sitting at the table, drinking decaf coffee. Mother stands and excuses herself after a few minutes, followed by father. Michael is the last one to make some excuse, leaving me there with Milo.

I realize too late that it’s a trap. I’m too polite to tell Milo to leave, and if everyone else has gone, I’m forced to sit down there with him. This is exactly what father and mother want, of course.

“So, Sadie,” he says, smiling at me. “I’m glad we’re doing this.”

“Yeah,” I say, being polite. “Same. It’s nice.”

“We don’t see each other nearly enough.” He smiles again.

“No,” I say, not wanting to elaborate.

He stirs his coffee with a spoon. I look down at mine, a little milky white spreading through the black, and then look back at Milo.

“I’m glad you finally changed your mind,” Milo says to me.

I cock my head. “About what?”

“About our marriage.” He shrugs and smiles, leaning back in his chair. “I know it’s a little, ah, old fashioned. But we’d make a very good pair. Our families would be stronger together.”

I stare at him, a sinking dread spreading through my whole body. “Our marriage?” I ask him.

His smile falters just a touch. “Yes, of course. Your father spoke with mine, and they agreed that we’d get married in the spring of next year. He said you agreed to it.”

His comment about practically being family becomes suddenly frighteningly clear. I push back my chair and stand very quickly, trying to keep myself under control.

“Excuse me, Milo,” I say. “I’m not feeling well.”

He says something, but I don’t hear him. I turn and walk as fast as I can out of there, my heart hammering in my chest.

My father fucking married me off behind my back without my consent. Like I’m some kind of property, he agreed to a weird arranged marriage that I have no say in.

And to make matters worse, he didn’t tell me about it. He didn’t even bother to inform me about his little deal, although Milo clearly knows all about it.

I’m livid, absolutely livid with anger. I want to scream and yell and tear down this house. I can’t believe they’re trying to force me to marry Milo like this.

I don’t hesitate. I walk right into my bedroom, grab the phone, turn it on, and message Gavin.

“Pick me up tonight at midnight. I’m ready.” I hit send, not caring what that means.

He responds almost immediately. “See you soon.”

I hide the phone away again and curl up on my bed, trying not to yell and scream. I have to get out of this house and see someone who actually cares about me, and the only person that fits that description is Gavin.

He’s the only man that actually cares what I want and makes me feel happy. I’m done playing pretend. I’m finished with my family. I’m going to do what I want, for myself, finally.

I’m going to let Gavin give me what I’ve always dreamed about.