Page 24 of Vows We Never Made

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“Margot needs me!” I lie. Right now, it’s the opposite, and I’m the one who needs her.

“But—”

“Bye, Mom!” I shove her out, slam the door in her face, and latch it before I flatten myself against it for good measure.

What the hell just happened?

If Margot said she hit me over the head with a baseball bat and I hallucinated everything that came next, I’d believe her.

Because I can’t believe any of this is happening.

And in my apartment?

This must be a terrible dream.

Unfortunately, when I open my eyes, no dice. Margot and Ethan are both standing in my kitchen.

Margot laughs her face off and Ethan tries to scowl through the biggest frown I’ve ever seen.

I can’t go through with this marriage thing.

No way.

If he’d come and begged and actually made it sound like he didn’t think he couldbuyme, then maybe, but now?

God.

Goddd.

My hands shake as I drag them down my face, trying to flatten my rough thoughts.

There’s no question who I’m dealing with now.

The same moody, older, entitled piece of jerkmeat he was back when we were growing up. If anything, he’s probably gottenworsewith age.

So I’ll tell him no to his face. Just like that.

One word.

Easy.

He said he’d enlist an army of lawyers, didn’t he? I’m sure they can figure out something to get his money.

“Sorry about my mom,” I start. Mostly because I’m afraid he’ll sic his lawyers onmeif Mom accidentally poisoned him with that slop.

But when I blink again, Ethan is standing in front of me.

Way too close.

I can see small, glittery flecks of grey and gold in his dark blue eyes.

I also smell the kale juice on his breath, so concentrated it could start peeling paint off the walls.

Man, he’s pale.

Maybe Momdidpoison him after all.

Would I have to pay damages if he gets ill here? Is that a thing?

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