The-Wrong-Bride-Ares--Raven’s-story-(Maura,-Catharina)_bibis

on your behalf.”
She crosses her arms and sighs. “Why can’t I be here to do both, Raven? I love both of you, and
honestly, this is in your best interests, too. It can’t be easy for you to be caught between us. Don’t you
want things to go back to how they used to be? I’m trying to relieve some of the pressure that this
marriage has put on you. I can’t take away the countless social obligations you’ll have now, but I can
be there to support you with everything else. With me to rely on, Ares won’t expect too much from
you, and you won’t lose so much of your own life. After all, eventually, you’ll have to go back to it,
won’t you? You know he doesn’t want you. He broke off your engagement to be with me five years
ago, and it’s still me he wants.”
I look into her eyes, my heart breaking as I remember the pain I was put through five years ago. I
can’t ever go back to how things used to be. My heart won’t survive seeing them together again. I
can’t lose what I’ve got now.
“No,” I tell her, my voice soft. “I won’t talk to Ares for you. He’s not a child, and I’m not a
mediator. Don’t ask me for more than I’ve already given you, Hannah, because there’s not much left of
me to give.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, as though she didn’t expect me to deny her. I suppose I never have
before. I’ve always given into anything she’s asked of me. Always.
But that ends today.