Chapter 1: The Choice

My dad’s voice echoed in the living room, calm but final: “Anna, it’s time to choose. Jason Carter or Alex Lane?”

The living room smelled like Dad’s old coffee and the lemon polish Mom used on the wood floors. The hum of the AC blended with the distant sound of a TV game show in the next room. Just as I was about to speak, digital text flickered in the air, visible only to me—like stray code from a glitching video game. My heart thudded. Was I hallucinating? I gripped the couch cushion, nails digging into the fabric.

“Don’t pick Alex Lane. He’s got too much drive—marrying him would just hold him back. He’d never get to chase his dreams, or even hang out with other smart women.”

“Don’t pick Jason Carter either. If the young general becomes your husband, isn’t that like clipping an eagle’s wings?”

“Seriously? I’m getting tired of Anna. She’s just a burden. Might as well send her off to marry some governor’s son in another state.”

I sat frozen, unable to point at anyone. My mind spun, palms going clammy. The kind of moment you’d see in a coming-of-age movie, but this was my life—and there was no soundtrack to save me.

Suddenly, another line popped up: “Don’t make the choice for Jason Carter, okay? He trained so hard at the border just to serve Anna. Are those who don’t want him chosen trying to ruin him instead?”

My gaze landed on Jason Carter, who sat on the thick living room rug beneath our family portrait, looking like he belonged more on a football field than in my dad’s house. All his focus zeroed in on me. He held himself with a kind of quiet dignity that seemed out of place in our living room.

My dad repeated his question, nudging me to decide.

The two guys sat in silence, shifting uncomfortably, while the words in the air argued and contradicted each other. The house still smelled like old wood and coffee—Dad’s subtle way of reminding everyone this was a family decision, not some fairytale.

“If Alex Lane becomes her husband, he’s toast. He’ll never get out from under her family’s thumb.”

“What a shame. If Anna doesn’t pick Alex Lane, he and Emily Young could be soulmates and be happy together.”

“Isn’t Jason Carter better off as a hero? Why drag him into this mess? Once the family takes charge, he’ll have to behave.”

“Jason Carter isn’t willing? Not true. He even washed Anna’s childhood handkerchiefs until they were white. Look at our young general—his sense of service is first-rate, and he really puts his heart into it.”

“No matter if it’s black or white, you just say it’s yellow, huh?”

“Jason Carter’s fans, chill out for a sec. To her, he’s just a stranger.”

“When will she realize Alex Lane doesn’t want to be her husband, or even like her? Her crush is just gonna annoy him.”

That last line hit me like a punch in the gut. My cheeks burned. I wanted to vanish, or yell back at the invisible critics.

The guy I admired was Alex Lane, but my feelings just made him uncomfortable. The AC clicked on, sending a chill down my spine.

The debate in the air kept going. My eyes flicked to the two men. Though they sat straight, their postures held a kind of dignity—like statues in a museum, untouched and untouchable.

Dad had picked them from all the local families. He adored me, always saying, “No daughter of mine will settle for less.” I never really thought about it before.

Growing old with Alex Lane had always seemed like a given—like thinking your favorite tree would bloom every spring. Until it didn’t.

But the words swirling in the air made me hesitate.

“Anna, have you decided?”

I looked at Dad. His eyes were both stern and gentle. Whatever I chose, he’d back me up. He’d fight for me, but he’d never push me. My hand hovered, but my throat went tight. What if I was about to ruin everything—for both of us?

I took a breath, following my heart, and slowly pointed toward Alex Lane.