“Because price decides what gets to stay beautiful,” I answered.
He smiled slightly.
“That’s either wisdom or sadness.”
“Probably both.”
Violet noticed the connection.
“Grandpa likes you,” she said.
“He likes that I say thank you,” I joked.
But one night, Rick asked something unexpected:
“Have you ever considered marrying for security?”
I thought it was a joke.
It wasn’t.
“Are you proposing to me?” I asked.
“Yes.”
That should’ve been the moment I walked away.