Chapter 5

My voice stayed steady. "You always said you wanted me to be your little princess forever. But Dad, even princesses grow up. They need their own shield and blade.

"You can't protect me forever. This time it was Aaron. What about next time? If I'm not strong enough, there will always be another Aaron Clark coming for me."

That embarrassing wedding felt like my rite of passage. In just one night, reality hit me hard.

Dad looked at me, his eyes complicated. There was relief, there was heartache, and in the end, it all melted into a long sigh.

"Okay."…