lin

y throat, a knot of worry curling in m

t did you use the money for, Mom? I thought you promised me you'd stop spend

sure her skin always glowed. My mom cares more about her beauty than anything else. Even when

new it was expensive. But I didn't dare ask where she got the money. I truste

r her to tell me she borrowed the money for a noble reaso

lling myself it was just a little here, a little there, a new dress, a new cream, until the bills swallowed

looked, I built everything with my face and my presence, I know I caused this mess, I know my spending pushed us o

y throat, where my

my room and slammed the door. I'd accepted that my mom mad

er even met? From what Mom said he must be filthy rich, so why couldn't he just pick one of those ric

one and typed his

uddenly I understood why it's important to always be on social media. I'm not a soci

rt hammering. I was just glad my aunt

ore it opened. My mom stepped in

edge of my bed, and my bo

ry him, you'll have all the riches you need. You won't lack anything, and I won't

my fingers diggin

g me to marry a stranger like I'm some bargain you are trying to trade off. Money isn'

forced my words out, "You're supp

m not selling you off. It's simple: get married and enjoy. You're not ge

ey makes everything okay? You want me to marry a man I don't even know, a man I don't

be a choice. It's supposed to be trust, respect, companionship. You can't just tra

st talking like a child. You've never had to fight for anything in your life. You don't unde

eone who doesn't even know the value of money, someon

sprang to her feet, her face reddened,

e. The sting burned, my heart pounded as

g I've done for you, everything I've sacrificed to raise

speak, but she didn

ing closer, "I swear...you'll be burying my dead bod

Adrenaline burn has settled low in my stoma

he same scenarios running thro

pacing around. I told myself I needed

on the door. No answer, and my hand

nd for the first time, I unders

impossibly still, my breath cau