Chapter 1706
Chapter 1706
Hearing this, Rosie’s delicate features momentarily lost their usual sparkle. “Well, every family has its own drama. People envy us for being born into such families, but even we have our troubles. I mean, it’s the 21st century, and we still can’t make our own choices about who we marry.”
Skyler, intrigued, asked, “So, you and that guy, was it an arranged thing by your families?”
Rosie nodded, “You have no idea. I just turned eighteen, and I’ve known him for exactly eighteen years. We’ve been inseparable since we were toddlers, never apart for more than forty-eight hours.
“If he went to a school, I had to enroll there too. My parents’ meetings? Always Lucas standing in, my dad never bothered. And if I got bad grades, guess who got to lecture me? Yeah, that jerk Lucas.”
Skyler just listened quietly, not saying a word.
Rosie went on, “The other day, I hung out with some friends and got home two hours late. Lucas sent a search party through the whole town, found me, and literally carried me away from the bar. Not only did he drag me home, but he also made me handwrite apologies till my hand hurt, and he wouldn’t let me stop. He’s like an overbearing big brother, not a boyfriend at all.”
Rosie pouted, “Who ever heard of a boyfriend who bullies his girlfriend like that?”e2
Skyler ventured, “Maybe he was just worried about you.”
Rosie sighed, “I know he was worried. When he found me, his eyes were all red, looking fierce, you know? I’d never seen him like that before. But does worrying about me mean he gets to control my life? He’s always saying it’s not safe for a girl to drink out on her own, but it’s not like anything happened.”
Skyler chuckled, “If something did happen, regret wouldn’t even begin to cover it.”
wouldn’t even begin to cover it.”
Rosie conceded, “Yeah, I thought about it, and he’s got a point, so I didn’t stay mad at him. Otherwise, I would’ve given him the cold shoulder for days, at least three days of total silence.
“And my parents, they’re even worse. They set up this childhood betrothal with Lucas and then just checked out. They didn’t want to deal with me, so they let Lucas do it. I feel like I’m suffocating. I really don’t want to live with them anymore.”
7
Skyler didn’t say much more. Despite Rosie’s complaints, it was clear to her that Rosie was a child who had grown up cherished by her family. Only a child loved so deeply could afford to be so headstrong. As for herself, without anyone to dote on her, she had to handle everything on her own.
Rosie turned to her, “Skyler.”
Skyler responded, “Yeah?”
Rosie offered, “If there’s anything bothering you, you can talk to me, too.”
Skyler shook her head, “There’s nothing.”
Rosie didn’t seem convinced. “Really? Because you don’t seem all that happy.”
Skyler offered a half-smile, “I’m not unhappy, probably just a bit uncomfortable since I’m not too familiar with everyone here.”
Rosie sympathized, “To be honest, I feel awkward around those guys too. It was always just me, the only girl, and today it’s better with you here. How about we go shopping instead?”
Skyler knew she was there because Zavier had asked for her help. She couldn’t just leave. “Maybe I should check with Zavier first?”
Rosie shrugged, “Never mind, I’d have to ask Lucas, and he’d never let me go shopping alone. Whenever I want something, he’s always there to give me the best of everything, all perfectly arranged, completely robbing me of the joy of shopping myself.”
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