#Chapter 21: Brother-In-Law

I don’t believe my ears. I had to have misheard. So I take a moment to catch my breath. It shakes as I inhale. Then I repeat the most shocking of the things he said to me, “’Brother-in-law?’” “My wedding to Leah is already set,” Samuel says. His voice is clear and crisp, but totally monotone, without any emotion or feeling. A cold chill creeps into my body. Not even my new burlap tunic can protect me from the impossible icy numbness that freezes me from the inside out. “You’ll be married soon, then,” I say, forcing the words. “But not yet.” “A technicality that will soon be remedied. I expect you to be congratulating me, Harper. Your sister would be pleased to know we have your blessing.” “You can’t mean any of this. Not after the things you said before.” “I was caught up in the moment,” Samuel says. “Things were said between us that I did not mean.” I shrink into myself, realizing he is using my own words against me now. Just as in this very conversation, I claimed not t