His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

11

Issca. He had appeared out of nowhere, his voice calm but commanding. The man looked up at him, sizing him up, and then-thankfully-decided it wasn't worth it. He backed off with a muttered curse, disappearing into the crowd. I breathed a sigh of relief, my hands still trembling. Issca sat down next to me, his face filled with concern. "You okay, Doris?"

I nodded, but my voice was shaky when I answered. "Yeah... I think so."

Issca looked at the nearly empty glass in front of me. "How much have you had to drink?"

I blinked, trying to remember. "Not enough," I mumbled, though my head was already spinning. The alcohol hadn't quite dulled the ache inside me, but it was getting close. I didn't want to think about tomorrow. About the wedding. About Nathan.

"I don't think you should have any more," Issca said gently. He glanced around, clearly worried about leaving me here alone. "Come on, I'll take you home."

judgment. "I'm getting married tomorrow," I muttered. "You

But Our

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Chapter 11

was an edge of sadness in his eyes. "I know, Doris. I'll just drop you off at the door. I won't even come inside." I didn't argue any further. In my drunken state, I didn't have the energy to. The night passed in a blur, Íssca helping me out of the bar and into his car. True to his word, when we reached my house, he left me at the door. My mother was home

Issca did what any good friend

none of that mattered

***

hadn't told me," he said

made my stomach twist.

venomous words she