Dowry Denied, Destiny Redefined

picture of false concern. My mind scre

ou want to save money, to keep the dowry for your

value, all my power. You think I' ll just roll ove

late and control me. But I could see right through it. The conversation I o

e, calculated tear roll down my cheek. I

ice thick with fake emotion. "I' m sorry. I

my eye wit

ant thing. Of course. A backy

hard leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk on hi

d understand. You' re going to be a wonderful

his face. He was relieved that I hadn't made a scene,

a it was just

ocating. I decided to give him one last chance to prove me wrong, a fina

ace him. "Are you really okay with th

road, his knuckles whi

t talk about it an

ittle stronger. "They humiliated me, Liam. They humilia

Chloe? Argue with my parents in the middle of a coffee shop? My mo

"The moment I get pregnant, I' m no longer your par

is mother' s. "You' re making this all about you! This is about the bab

. Mater

d the ice in my veins. He wasn't just weak and manipulated, he was just like them. He bel

ud, violent death. It was a quiet, cold finality. The man I had promised to

he pain, a new feeling was growing stronger. Resolve. I was not a victim. I

ld write

he door behind him and leaned against it, taking a deep,

They only care about what you represent. And I

one, and dialed my parents. My mom answered

! How did the

for a second, gat

steady and clear. "Something h

old smile tou

ave a