*Noah*
After returning home and arguing with my parents, I was exhausted and fell asleep almost immediately once I was lying peacefully next to Zara. But not long after I passed out, I woke up again and turned over to see that Zara was tossing and turning restlessly. She was clearly awake and not just having some nightmare about performing gymnastics.
I knew she was restless due to our current predicament. There was a small part of me that felt guilty about lying to my parents about something so major, but the negative feeling was extremely minuscule compared to the relief I felt to have Zara sent up to my room as opposed to some secluded one far away from me.
I desperately wanted to make Zara safe, but there was also a selfish part of me that wished that we were truly husband and wife. The lie ironically made it feel more real and that one day, we could be.
If anything, I felt much more guilt about upsetting Zara with my rash, but completely necessary action.
