𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐞

fifteen.✔

Patricia and Mr. Lockett all but kicked everyone out of the house as Wraith stood in the kitchen with a rag pressed against his nose.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," he murmurs to me as I wrap a bag of pea in a dish towel.

Mom sent Caroline and the girls on home, while she stayed. She's helping the staff clean, though I told her not too. I think she just didn't want to leave me here alone.

"I don't want him anywhere near us, Scarlett," Wraith says when I don't respond. "He's always trying to get between us."

I take the wet rag from Wraith's palm and clean the rest of his face with it. "Cole isn't solely to blame," I sigh.

"What are you talking about?" he utters. "Are you seriously blaming me?"

I stare at him. "You did start the fight," I say. "But no, I'm not blaming you for why Cole acted the way he did."

Wraith almost rolls his eyes but stops himself.

"Cole and I have a lot of history, Wraith," I exhale. "A lot you don't know about."

He bows his brows at my statement.

"I want to believe you when you say you're telling me the truth. So I'm giving you the opportunity right now to give it to me straight."

"I already told you what happened," he groans. "Why is it so hard for you to believe me?"

I take a step back from him as he grabs the bag of peas I'd set beside him and presses it to his face, wincing as he does so.

"I'm at a loss," I shrug. "Cole has never lied to me, why would he be lying now?"

"Because he wants us to break up, Scarlett," Wraith angerly howls. "Can't you see it? He's had it out for me since day one."

"I don't buy it."

"What don't you buy? He clearly wants you and can't accept that you chose me over him."

I turn to the sink and ring out the rang while shaking my head. "That's not it, Wraith," I whisper. "Cole doesn't want to be with me. I know that for a fact."

He scoffs behind me.

"I don't want to chose between my oldest friend and my husband," I turn off the water. "I will deal with Cole," I lean against the counter's edge as I find Wraith's dark eyes boring down at me. "But I need you to promise me you will be the bigger person."

"He clocked me in the face, Scarlett. I'm going to have black eyes at our wedding," Wraith gapes.

"I don't care how you look," I say. "I care what you chose to do in the next twenty-four hours."

"I don't want him there; can we at least agree on that?" he frowns.

"Wraith..."

Her heels clicking against the tile announce her presence. "That man will not be allowed on the property, I will see to it myself," Patricia pulls the peas from Wraith's face to see the bruising that has already begun as she shakes her head.

"Where's Dad?" Wraith asks her.

"He's with your grandparents in the study. They are a bit ruffled from this disaster of an evening," she huffs. "Your grandmother is terribly embarrassed."

Inside, I am rolling my eyes.

"I will be sure to make apologies," Wraith hangs his head.

Patricia's own dark eyes fall on me. "You will be a Lockett as of tomorrow," she widens her eyes. "This kind of behavior is not tolerated in our circles."

"Kind of behavior?" I gawk, unable to stop myself. "Wraith is the one who ended up in the pool causing a scene. And how we chose to deal with tonight is between Wraith and I."

She didn't expect me to bite back as she also squeals.

"I am allowing this marriage and you will not speak to me like that in my own house," she barks.

I look at Wraith, who stares at the floor like a helpless puppy.

"That man was will not be at the wedding and that is final."

"Scarlett?"

I look over my shoulder at the sound of my mother's voice. She moves to my side.

"I think we've had enough for one night," she says.

"Surely you'll reason with her," Patricia demands.

My mom looks at me, her face somewhere between furious and 'is she serious?'.

"My daughter is capable of making her own decisions," she says, letting her gaze fall back on Patricia. "The scuffle between Cole and Wraith is for them to work out. I do believe you owe Scarlett an apology for how you spoke to her."

Patricia ignores her. "We will not be embarrassed again," she tells Wraith.

"Mother," he exhales.

"There isnt going to be a wedding if I don't say so," I snap, about to combust. "This is about Wraith and I and if you don't mind, we need to have a conversation alone."

"I'm going to call a car," my mom murmurs, giving my arm a squeeze. "I'll be out front when you're ready."

She gives Patricia a warning glance but leaves in silence. My mom would never a cause a scene but she has always stood up for herself, a trait I am thinking I need more of.

Patricia's lips part like she's about to say something else but Wraith cuts her off. "Give us a moment, Mother."

She doesn't go quietly, sure to stomp her heels all the way upstairs, likely to the study where she can bitch and moan with his grandmother.

"Do you want to get married tomorrow?" I ask pointedly.

"Of course, I do," Wraith reaches for me but I don't allow him to touch me.

"Then promise me you will be the better man and that those girls were not underage," I exhausted cry because I'm at my wits end.

"I promise," he says without hesitation.

I search in his eyes for anything, but somehow, they are... blank.

"I love you, Scarlett. I want to marry you. I know it's been a bumpy week to get there but if we can make it through this our marriage is going to be a breeze. A happy one with babies of our own."

"I am not moving to Florida," I put my foot down. "Do you still want to marry me?"

He chews on his cheek, obviously displeased. "I will agree to stay here if you agree to holidays there."

"And I'm having as many babies as I chose, and they will never be treated as an hire and a spare."

Wraith pulls the peas from his face and slowly nods.

"I'm not quitting my job but..." I sigh, painfully. "But I will agree to part-time to be an at-home-mother like you wish."

"I can agree to that," he solemnly acquiesces and when he reaches for me this time I give into him. His fingers rest under my chin.

"I'm choosing to trust you, Wraith," I whisper. "Now is the time to tell each other anything we've been holding back."

"You know everything," he says. "I swear it."

I nod. "I kissed Cole," I sigh. "That's how I know he and I would never be together."

"I figured as much," Wraith's eyes tighten. "But you chose me," his other hand palms at my ring. "I don't care about a kiss as long as you tell me right here that you're going to be my wife."

"I will be your wife if you promise to always communicate with me and that our families do not come between us."

"Both?"

I nod.

"Then I promise."

I pull in a long breath. "Then I do too."

As those words left my mouth, I felt a knife in my back. And the only person I have to blame for it is in the mirror.