HAZEL
I blinked.
"But you are right. You are my daughter, and I know you well." She tilted her head slightly. "Why would your tricks work on me?"
Heat crept up my neck. I stepped back.
"Eat." Mother gestured to Delta. "Delta will stay with you and help you dress."
"For what?"
"I wasn't joking yesterday. You are leaving for the Lily of the Valley today."
I scoffed, the sound harsh in the quiet room. "I do not want to marry now. I will stay unmarried for at least a year. You will not force me because you believe I humiliated you a bit too much last night."
"Hazel..."
"Everybody makes mistakes. I was in my feelings yesterday and I know what I did was low. But I was just in a heightened state." The words came faster now, tumbling over each other. "Pushing me to that random pack knowing damn well that fucker is in love with Fia will not fix it."
