FIFTY-SIX.

Nervously, I chew on my lower lip, feverishly rubbing the palms of my hands up and down my thighs, hoping that my father and Ace don't end up killing each other tonight.

I still can't believe Ace is here, brazenly speaking to my father and requesting his blessing for us to walk down the aisle and become Mr. and Mrs. Ripley.

A large part of me wishes I could be a fly on the wall, so I can bear witness to the conversation they're having.

As seconds roll over to minutes, then an hour, my ass starts to feel numb. The pins and needles move down to my legs.

Standing up, I move around to get the blood flowing again, anxiously waiting for them to emerge from the office.

The house is quiet. It's almost as silent as a graveyard when the moon is perched high in the sky.

I quickly descend the stairs upon hearing the sound of my father's office door opening. As Ace appears from the hallway, our eyes meet, and he extends his hand, inviting me to join him.

Without any hesitation, I quickly move