"Joanne?" Seeing that Joanne Chase wasn't responding, Grace Winslow couldn't help but turn to look at her.
'If Joanne really plans to accept her fate, to give in and go back with them to get married and have children, there's nothing I can do to stop her.'
'Everyone has the right to choose their own path. I have no right to interfere.'
Joanne snapped back to reality and looked at Grace Winslow, her eyes filled with despair. "Grace, do I even have a choice?"
"They're my parents. Can I really defy them? Can I just ignore what they say?"
"I... I..."
Her face was a mask of despair; she felt as if all hope in her life had vanished.
In that moment, her thoughts turned not to resistance, but to death.
'If I die, it'll all be over.'
'I wouldn't have to accept this wretched fate.'
'I wouldn't have to be controlled by anyone.'
'I wouldn't have to lose my freedom, become a puppet, lose myself forever, and turn into a walking corpse.'
'If I died, there would be no more pain.'
