My Seven-Year Ice House Marriage Was Ruined By My Family Chapter 01

My Seven-Year Ice House Marriage Was Ruined By My Family Chapter 01

Back in my town, if a man wanted to marry a woman, he had to carve the ice himself and build her an ice house.

If it lasted through the night without melting, he could propose.

If it didn’t, he had to wait another year.

Blaise Rowntree and I had been together for seven years, and every year, his ice house melted.

For the past three years, girls my age had been getting married one after another. People in town mocked me for still being unmarried.

This year, I was done waiting. I decided to camp out by the ice house.

Instead, I saw Blaise and my family pouring hot water over it.

“Maris got a place in the city, but she has to be married to qualify.”

“I already signed the marriage papers with her at City Hall. I can’t end it until everything is settled next year.”

“I need you guys to keep this from Sable again.”

My brother reassured him.

“Maris has it rough, living alone in the city. You should look after her.”

My parents, who had always spoiled me, nodded along.

“As for Sable, just let her wait another year. We’ll make it up to her later.”

I stood there, feeling cold all over.

So it wasn’t bad luck.

They had never meant for me to marry him.

I swallowed the ache in my chest, turned, and sent a message.

[You said I owed you my life, and I could repay you by marrying you. I’m taking you up on it.]

—

The reply came almost instantly.

[Sable, I don’t care if this is a joke. I’m holding you to it.]

Even through the screen, I could picture how quickly he must have grabbed his phone.

The blizzard howled through the entire night.

I stayed awake until dawn, but for once, I wasn’t waiting for Blaise.

When the snow stopped, I headed up to the ridge alone.

The ice house Blaise built overnight had melted halfway, just like always.

The townspeople gathered around to mock me, same as always.

“What a waste. Blaise is such a good guy, and every year you drag him into this.”

“Sable, Lenny’s been single his whole life. Why don’t you give him a chance?”

Their laughter cut right through me.

Then Blaise showed up and dropped his ice pick at their feet.

“Get lost.”

The crowd scattered.

Blaise walked over, guilt all over his face.

“Sable, this is all my fault. I’m no good at this. Don’t listen to them.”

I swallowed the ache in my chest.

“So what was it this time?”

“I didn’t think the wind would get that strong overnight. It cracked the ice.”

The first year, Blaise said a wild animal had damaged the ice wall.

The second year, he said light snow had melted and weakened the foundation.

Last year, he said he stayed up all night, but snow slid off the ridge and damaged the ice house.

Every year, it was something.

Every year, I saw his hands stiff from the cold, and I blamed myself. I thought I was unlucky, and that was why he had to endure the cold for me.

I never realized he never meant to marry me.

My eyes burned. I couldn’t stop the tears.

When I didn’t answer, Blaise took my hand and tried to soothe me.

“Sable, trust me. Next year, I’ll build it right. Then I’ll marry you.”

I’d heard that promise too many times.

This year, I didn’t believe him.

His phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen and said he had something to take care of.

Snow was still falling when I headed down.

I couldn’t help looking back one last time.

I wondered if he would make it in time.

When I got home, the yard was buzzing.

My mom was making pot roast, and my dad was warming spiced cider.

“Our girl’s coming home. Let her have something warm when she gets here. I don’t want her catching a chill.”

“Don’t worry. It’s already hot. She’s had a rough day. This’ll warm her right up.”

My heart warmed.

I thought they still cared about me.

Then my brother Brennan showed up with Maris Wexler.

My parents hurried over to them.

“Maris, you must be freezing.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart. The snow’s blocked the roads. You can’t get back tonight. Just stay here.”

The warmth in my chest disappeared.

Maris was my mom’s best friend’s daughter.

My mom had always favored her.

After Maris lost her parents, my parents became even more protective and sided with her on everything.

They were almost inside before they finally noticed me standing in the corner.

My mom just waved me over.

“Don’t just stand there. Go pour Maris some cider.”

Inside, my parents fussed over her.

They even gave her my room.

I couldn’t help asking, “Then where am I supposed to sleep?”

Maris teared up.

“Sable, I didn’t mean to take your room. I’ll go. Please don’t be mad at me.”

My mom snapped at me.

“Sable, Maris is barely ever home. Can’t you be nice for once?”

Brennan said irritably, “There’s a whole house. Why do you have to make Maris feel bad?”

The room went silent.

That’s when Blaise showed up with a box of pastries.

“Sable, the old bakery at the edge of town finally opened today. I had to wait forever for this box. Try one.”

He called my name, but his eyes flicked to Maris.

My fingers went cold.

The pastries were filled with sesame.

I’d avoided sesame since I was a child.

So this was his urgent thing.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

I looked down.

It was a photo, just taken.

A perfect ice house stood in a hollow on the ridge, lights glowing against the snow. Not a single part of it had collapsed.

Underneath was a line:

[Ice house’s done. Waiting for you.]