The Quiet Contract

Cancel - A week

Lisa POV

Back at home, I sat across from my parents, feeling like I had just emerged from a storm. My mind raced with everything that had happened during dinner, replaying every word Jennie had said, every look she'd given me. The coldness in her eyes and the sharpness in her tone—she had barely tried to hide her disgust.

My mom's gentle voice snapped me back to the present. "So, how was it, Lisa? How did your meeting with Jennie go?"

I hesitated, not sure how to even begin. "It... well, I don't think it went as well as I hoped."

My dad's brow creased. "What do you mean?"

Taking a deep breath, I tried to gather my thoughts, even though a part of me wanted to say nothing at all, to keep it all inside. "I think... I think Jennie hates me," I murmured, looking down at my hands.

My mom reached across the table, placing her hand over mine. "Why would you think that, honey?"

"She was so... tense the whole time. It felt like no matter what I said, it only made her more annoyed. I mean, I knew she might not be happy about the arrangement, but I thought maybe I could at least make a good impression. She just seemed like she didn't want me there."

My dad sighed, his face softening. "Lisa, this is new for both of you. Jennie might be acting out of shock. She's likely feeling pressured, just like you."

"Maybe," I replied softly, though the way Jennie looked at me flashed in my mind again, making me cringe. "But... she wouldn't even let me talk by the end of it. Every time I tried to say something, she'd cut me off or roll her eyes. It was like... like she'd already decided I was a problem."

"Lisa," my mom said, squeezing my hand gently, "don't let one meeting define how you see this. Jennie might just need time to adjust. You've got a kind heart, and I know you were probably trying your best."

I nodded, though the worry still gnawed at me. "I just... I didn't know what to do. I even made notes before we met, tried to ask her things to get to know her. But I think that might have made things worse. She... she looked like she was disgusted by me."

"Maybe she's just not used to someone like you," my dad said. "People like Jennie, who are in the public eye all the time, might put up walls. It doesn't mean she'll always see you this way."

"But what if she does?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if she never gives me a chance? I... I don't want her to hate me, but I think I might've already made things worse."

"Lisa," my mom said softly, "you can only do your best. Sometimes people need time to warm up. And if Jennie can't see who you really are... well, then that's her loss. But I have a feeling you're stronger than this. You'll figure out a way to connect with her."

"I hope so," I said, though a part of me still felt doubtful. "I don't know what to say to her, or what I could do to make things better. I just... I don't want to mess this up. And I don't want to make her hate me even more."

My dad patted my shoulder. "Take it one step at a time, Lisa. Be yourself, and let things fall into place. You've got this."

I nodded, forcing a small smile. But deep down, a flicker of fear still lingered.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up at my parents, feeling a heavy weight settle in my chest. "Maybe... maybe we shouldn't go through with this marriage."