*Rose*
“Rose?” asks Shelby. There’s a pleading look in her eyes as she looks at me. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I don’t know,” I say. Instantly I regret the words because she gives me a pained look, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings.
I expected her to stand up and walk away from me, but instead, she moves in closer and takes my hand. “Adam is a good man, Rose,” she says. “He would never hurt you.”
I nod and say, “I know you believe that. It’s just that…”
“Just what?” she asks. “He’s a wonderful husband and a caring man.”
I feel horrible because she’s been so nice to me, so I try to find the right words to explain how I feel. “Shelby, please understand,” I begin. “I’ve been told a lot of things even before I got here. First, my parents told me that coming here was the best thing f
