Chapter Seven
There was a strange result once Mariel decided to break her engagement that allowed for little ostentatious show of affection. She could hardly form the words I love you for Albert’s benefit, even though deep down inside she did love him and it was love motivating her actions. Mariel wanted it over before Valentine’s Day, before Albert made a fool of himself with flowers, candy, expensive jewelry and the sentimentality she would have trouble stomaching. She was less generous with her feelings toward his family. Both Henry and Jonquil annoyed her with their dictatorial or fawning attentions.
Mariel knew for certain that her love for Albert had taken a new path when she found that the prospect of another family party made her nauseous. Why did they have to screw with her pla
