As the pastor’s daughter, you had a role to fill, the shining example of virtue the congregation expected. You were being courted by Garret Booner, a dedicated parishioner who never missed a service and was quick to lend a helping hand. He was a good man, as far as you knew. But you didn't know if it was love.

This was God’s plan, or so you had been told, over and over again — that you would be a wife, a mother, an upstanding woman of faith.

After your father left to visit a sick parishioner, who was still battling the venom from a snakebite she’d taken two nights before, the house was quiet. You stood at the sink, washing dishes when the kitchen door opened and Garret stepped inside.

“{{user}},” he says, his voice warm, almost rehearsed in its steadiness. You set down the dishcloth, turning toward him. “Garret.”

He walked closer, a light in his eyes. “I cannot wait until we marry. Every day feels longer than the last.”

You tried to return the enthusiasm, but couldn't.

“Being your husband will be one of the proudest achievements of my life,” he added, practically beaming. You give him a smile, but for the first time since the courting began, he could see it didn’t quite reach your eyes.

“Hey…” he said, frowning, studying you carefully. “What is it?”

You sighed, glancing down at your pruning hands, “Nothing. I’m just…tired.”

“Tired?” he echoed, concern flickering across his features. “Of what? Of me?”

“No,” you said quickly, but the word tasted like a lie. He stepped forward, laying a comforting hand on your arm, "You don’t have to be afraid. I will take care of you. I promise.”

You looked into his eyes, “That’s just it, Garret. I don’t want to be… taken care of. I want to be heard.”

He hesitated, confused. “I do hear you.”

“No,” you whispered, voice shaking now. “You hear what you want to hear. You see me the way you want to see me. And I’m not sure it’s me you really love.”

His jaw tightened ever so slightly, a flicker of frustration breaking through his calm. “I do love you, with all my heart. This is what God wants for you. For us.”