They Wanted to Marry Me Off

Carl Bennett stared at me throughout dinner.

Not politely.

Like someone inspecting livestock.

When Noah finally set a bowl of fish soup on the table, Carl leaned back and said,

“Your husband’s sister is decent. She might do for my son.”

My chopsticks paused.

Hannah smiled.

Noah looked away.

That told me enough.

Soon, Carl’s wife arrived with their son.

Danny Bennett was grown in body but childlike in expression. His mouth hung open slightly, saliva shining at the corner. He saw me and clapped.

“Wife,” he said. “I want wife.”

I put down my chopsticks.

Hannah nudged Noah.

“Well?”

Noah tugged my sleeve.

“Maya,” he said quietly, “Danny may not be smart, but his family owns two houses and a shop. You won’t suffer.”

I stared at him.

“You brought me home to marry me to him.”

“It’s a good match.”

“A good match?”

“Women marry eventually.”

“Then Hannah can marry him.”

Hannah’s face hardened.

Carl laughed.

Noah panicked.

“Maya, don’t talk nonsense.”

I looked at my brother.

“Are you selling me to please your wife?”

His mouth tightened.

“It’s not selling. I’m finding you a home.”

Hannah sneered.

“Seems your husband isn’t as obedient as you said.”

The change in Noah was instant.

Fear.

Humiliation.

Desperation.

He slapped me.

My head turned.

The room went silent.

My cheek burned.

Noah’s eyes filled with tears immediately, as if he were the one struck.

“I raised you,” he choked. “Can’t you think about me for once?”

I held my face and looked at him.

Long ago, he promised me no one would bully me.

Now he had become the hand.

Danny giggled.

“Wife.”

I looked at him too.

There was no safety here.

Not from Hannah.

Not from Carl.

Not from the man they wanted to give me to.

And worst of all, not from my brother.