Cold sweat soaked Evan's palm as he clamped down on my sleeve, crumpling the fabric into a mess of deep creases.
"Let go," my tone was flat, as indifferent as if I were ordering a total stranger.
Instead of releasing his grip, he squeezed even harder, his knuckles turning white.
"Emma, I went too far earlier. I shouldn't have mentioned calling off the engagement in front of all those people."
He stared at me urgently, eyes darting across my face like he was desperate to find some sign I was just throwing a petty tantrum.
"Patricia was definitely wrong to cut your hair. I'll lock her up at home to reflect on her actions as soon as we get back. Just give the bracelet back to Selena, and we'll go home. The engagement was arranged by the elders, you can't just rip it up on a whim."
Even
