Page 9 of Captive Bride

But I don’t care. I need alone time.

“But Isobel—” Patrick starts to say.

“Out!” I shout.

They all leave in a hurry, and I’m happy to be left alone for just a couple minutes. Wearing nothing but my white lingerie, and of course my diamonds, I walk back out to the balcony where the rain is starting to fall fiercely.

I need fucking air. I need to breathe. I need out.

I look over the edge, and again, I think about jumping.

In the end, I don’t have the courage to do it. I guess you could say there’s still a glimmer of hope in my heart that things will be different.

I’ve had this image of a dream guy in my mind and my heart for as long as I can remember. I’ve always hoped that it’s real, that it’s not just some fantasy.

Like I feel him in me already, finding his way to me, and that’s what I’m holding out for.

Even if I have to screw the Governor, even if I have to wait forever, I feel like I would do anything for this guy, this dream I have of happiness.

But tonight will cement my future. And despite my delusions of happiness, I know that this is my burden to bear. I have to marry the Governor.

That means no more fantasy man, no more anything that could ever even attempt to make me happy.

I sip my champagne and start to get drunk.

What else is there to live for?

I need this alcohol like a tonic for my burning and sad soul.

I need out.

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