Chapter 3
The one who spoke was their uncle, Daryl
This old man was infertile and had spent his life raising his deceased elder brother’s sons,
Erick and Willie.
“Uncle, I’m already over forty,” Erick sighed. I’ve worked these fields all my life, and no woman would want me. Unlike my brother–at least he got to marry our cousin. Me? rm not that lucky.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. No wonder their son turned out to be a fool.
The next second, I pretended to finally understand what was happening and burst into tears, trembling in fear.
“You said we were going to eat candied haws! Why did you bring me here instead?” Willie and his wife stiffened, their eyes darting toward the neighbors‘ houses. Probably afraid my crying would alert someone, they quickly crouched down to comfort me. Rosemary and Sally chimed in with forced smiles. “Good girl, don’t cry. If you marry this brother, you’ll have even tastier things than candied haws!”
I sniffled, tilting my head in pretend confusion. “Really?”
Relieved, they nodded eagerly.
I pointed at Simon, who was still drooling, and asked innocently, “But I’m so young. How can I be his wife?”
They laughed as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “All girls grow up to be wives, Lauren. If you stay with him from a young age, you’ll be treated even better in the future!” “Oh.” I pretended to understand and obediently nodded.
They exchanged relieved glances, then turned to Willie and his wife.
“The girl is here. Our car is parked at the village entrance–it’s too noticeable. Better settle the remaining 10,000 dollars quickly.”
Willie wasted no time, nudging his wife to fetch the money.
As soon as Rosemary and Sally got their hands on the thick wad of cash, they grinned and began counting under the dim glow of a kerosene lamp.
The light flickered across Erick’s face. His expression shifted.
He turned to Rosemary, his tone suddenly friendly. “Big Sister, have you eaten? You must be tired from the journey. Why not stay for dinner?”
Daryl, about to scold him for delaying, paused when he noticed Sally’s face illuminated by the lamp. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling light.
I seized the moment.
“Uncle, Grandpa,” I piped up, looking at Erick and Daryl. “Do you have wives?”
They shook their heads.
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“Perfect!” I clapped my hands, pointing at Rosemary and Sally. “These aunties can be your
wives!
The two women froze, mid–count.
“What nonsense are you saying, little girl?!” Rosemary snapped.
I ducked behind Simon, feigning innocence. “But you just said all women have to marry. Since Lauren can stay and be a wife, why can’t you?”
Erick’s dark face flushed red with excitement. He set down his wine pot, rubbing his hands together.
Daryl, a man who had been single for decades, swallowed hard. One had never found a wife; the other had lost his young bride because of his inability to have children. The temptation was too much.
The realization hit Rosemary and Sally like a slap. Their eyes darted toward each other. In a panic, they reached for their pockets, but before they could grab their phones, Erick and a panic, they reached for their pockets, b
Daryl lunged.
“Brother,” Erick said with a grin, “if we keep them, we won’t have to pay that 10,000 dollars.” Willie’s eyes widened at the suggestion, but it only took him a second to agree. “That’s a damn good deal.”
Rosemary and Sally’s screams were muffled by the rancid socks stuffed into their mouths. They thrashed violently, but against three farm–hardened men, their struggles were useless.
Willie’s wife fetched hemp rope and tape. Within minutes, the women were bound and gagged, tossed like sacks of grain into the woodshed.
Their van? Driven away under the cover of night–sold in the city for an easy profit.
By dawn, Rosemary and Sally had been dragged back–one cl
