Debt.
The constant fear of falling one step behind and not recovering.
Security has a way of sounding reasonable when you’ve lived without it long enough.
So I said yes.
The wedding was quiet.
Too quiet.
No fairy tale. No celebration that felt real.
Just an agreement dressed up as something more.
Violet didn’t understand.
She didn’t say much—but I could see it in her eyes.
Disappointment. Confusion.
Maybe even betrayal.
I didn’t blame her.
I barely understood myself.
That night, everything changed.
We were alone for the first time as husband and wife.
I felt awkward, out of place, like I had stepped into a role I didn’t know how to play.
Before I could say anything, Rick spoke.
