Last night was a failure.

I was so close to escaping the house when Joseph caught me. When I heard his voice, the door was within reach. Afterward, I only managed to fall into pockets of sleep, and I would wake when Miles changed positions. I rolled on my side to watch him as he slept. The awkward conversation with Joseph in the living room was repeating in my mind.

My family had many issues. As a little girl, I dreamed about having a family full of love. My parents never liked each other and struggled to show their children any affection. After that terrible night, my siblings and I never spoke to each other again. They were all older and got married, so they left to have a family. A family of their own.

When my grandmother was sick, she often told me if I wanted a loving family, I would have to make my own. She had dreams of me getting married. I never told her about how I was making money because it would destroy her heart.

Was Miles my key to a happy family?

I shook my head, reminding myself that Joseph had kidnapped me from the tavern. My family was terrible; however, I did not want this family. They were deranged. Forcing a woman to be a wife to your son was not normal behavior. Was Joseph trying to break down my mind with everything he said, or did he actually believe what he told me?

My hand ran across my stomach. I had always wanted children. It was part of my dream since my older sister gave me her baby doll when I was young. Having a tiny baby in my arms was always a fantasy, but I had accepted it would never happen.

Would I have Miles' baby? If I were stuck here long enough, it would eventually happen.

Miles' alarm clock went off while it was still dark outside. I sat up and clutched the blankets to my chest as I watched him move around the room. In the moonlight, I watched him change his clothes. When he turned, he paused. I could not see his face, but it seemed like he had forgotten that I was lying next to him all night. He said nothing as he left the bedroom. I looked for the dress I left crumpled on the floor, but he returned with more clothes. He dropped them on the foot of the bed.

I looked at him to see him staring at me with his arms crossed over his chest. He did not move, so I changed clothes as he watched. He did not turn on the oil lamp until after, so I doubt he saw much of my body as I changed into the dress. I ran my fingers through my hair but winced when my fingers were caught in the many knots. Miles opened his nightstand and pulled out something. He said nothing as he handed me a comb.

"Does this work?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said. "Thank you."

Staring in his mirror, I combed the knots out of my blonde hair. The light flickered from the lamp. Miles did not move from his spot but watched me in the reflection. I glanced down to see the collection of pins that were in my hair the night I met Joseph. I twisted my hair into braids and pinned it back. There were the hushed voices of Joseph and Clara as they walked down the hallway. Was it routine for this family to wake so early in the morning?

Miles said nothing. I did not turn around, but his expression remained unreadable in the reflection. What went on in this man's mind? I needed to maintain my act and make him believe I liked being in this house. He slept solidly throughout the night. No suspicious thoughts kept him awake, making my escape almost possible.

I turned and leaned against the dresser. My fake smile caused him to raise a brow.

"How did you sleep?" I asked.

Miles stepped forward. My fingers curled into the dresser's edge so hard that my knuckles ached. I kept my chin held high and maintained my smile. Miles reached forward and placed his hands on the dresser next to mine. He leaned in, trapping me with his body. Was he trying to intimidate me? I refused to crumple. I kept my smile while maintaining eye contact.

He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against mine. I wished I did not gasp, but I was unprepared for his movement. His warm breath fanned across my face. I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat. He said nothing. All I could hear was his breath and Joseph and Clara moving around in the kitchen downstairs.

"You don't speak much," I said softly.

It was a miracle my voice did not crack. My heart was hammering in my chest, and sweat was building on my palms. Miles chuckled. He leaned in closer so the bridge of his nose was against mine. I had been close to many men, but none of them ever made me nervous. Miles wanted me for the rest of my life and not just one night, which was terrifying.

"I'm not used to being this close," he said.

It was another one of his weird comments. I had not known him for a long time, and I let him use my body last night.

"You're soft," he said.

I jumped when his hand touched my waist. My knuckles ached from my grip on the dresser. I prayed he would take a step back. It would be useless for me to attempt to push him away. What would they do to me if I fought back? I needed to remember to be smart.

There was a clang of dishes downstairs. Clara must be preparing breakfast. Miles did not back away. His warm breath fanned across my face. How long would he stand there?

"I'm hungry," I said.

Miles curled his fingers into my hip. I squeezed my eyes shut to try to calm my pounding heart, but I did not exhale until he stepped back.

"Let's get downstairs," he said.

I nodded before following him out of his bedroom. I stretched my sore knuckles as we walked into the kitchen. Clara was at the stove making oatmeal. She looked over her shoulder and smiled. Joseph was sitting at the table. His elbows rested on the table, and his fingers were tented in front of his face. A smirk was hidden behind his hands. Would he say anything to Miles about last night?

Miles said nothing as he sat at the table. I glanced at the back door, which was my ticket to freedom. I needed to slip out without any of them noticing. Joseph had been watching me intensely since I entered the kitchen.

"Maisie, can you help me?" Clara asked as she handed me two bowls of oatmeal. "Bring these to the table."

I forced a smile as I took the bowls.

"I would love to," I lied.

I would have preferred to smash the bowls on their head and crack open their skulls, but I could not imagine the consequences. They sat across the table from each other. If I managed to knock one of them unconscious, the other would grab me before I could escape this home.

"You're in a good mood, Maisie," Joseph said.

He did not move his hands when I set the bowls down. Clara was soon behind me with spoons and more bowls. I tried not to look at Joseph as I sat next to Miles.

"You two had a good night?" Joseph asked.

I struggled not to let my smile waver because I wanted to keep my happy appearance. His comment caused my skin to crawl. I was a prostitute, so it should not have bothered me, but it was uncomfortable in a domestic setting. Did they normally discuss sex while eating breakfast? Luckily, Miles glared as he ate. I stirred my spoon in the oatmeal because my stomach was clenched in a tight knot.

"Don't look at me like that," Joseph said. "I should have had Maisie sleep in Emily's old room last night. You two kids aren't even married yet. I guess we'll have to adjust some traditions for this family."

"Are we going to have a wedding?" Clara asked.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. Miles groaned and shook his head.

"Of course," Joseph said. "We need to officially bring these two together."

"Do you think they would let us return to the church?" Clara asked.

I bit on my lip to suppress a smile. Would they bring me into a church full of people? Joseph dragging me down the aisle while I was kicking and screaming would alarm someone.

"We don't need the church," Joseph said. "We can have a nice ceremony here. Just the four of us."

"Seems unnecessary," Miles said.

"I probably have a dress Maisie could wear," Clara said.

A shiver ran up my spine. I dropped the spoon so that I could rub my hands along my arms. Miles glanced over at me and watched me squirm in my chair.

"You need to eat," he said.

"I'm not hungry," I said.

He raised his brow. Joseph and Clara were watching us intently, which caused my skin to crawl even more.

"Upstairs, you said you were hungry," Miles said.

Asking for breakfast was my way of getting Miles to back away when he had me trapped against the dresser. If he knew that I was lying, my attempts at appearing obedient would unravel, and they would never trust me. I tried to force another smile, but my mind was spinning, and my heart was pounding.

"It's probably nerves," Clara said. "I don't think I ate the week leading up to my wedding. I was so nervous."

Joseph smiled as he leaned back in his chair. He maintained eye contact as he stretched his arm over the back of Clara's chair. A sickening smirk was on his lips.

"That is why we will have the wedding tonight," he said.