The following week, her stepmother arranged her marriage to him, without demanding any dowry.
“Eddie,” said his mother-in-law, “I’ve been watching you for a while. You seem like a responsible man. My daughter Faith is a good girl, calm, respectful, and made for home. I think you two will make a perfect couple.”
Faith’s heart sank.
« Mom, » she said in a low voice, « I don’t even know him. »
« Shut up! » her stepmother snapped.
« Do you want to rot in my house for the rest of your life? A man shows up for you and you’re talking nonsense? »
Eddie scratched his head, feeling uneasy.
« Madam, I truly love your daughter, but I don’t have much money at the moment. I’ll need time to raise enough to pay the dowry. »
His mother-in-law burst out laughing, waving her hand.
« The dowry? That’s not important right now. Just come with your family to show your intentions. You can bring the dowry when you have the money. I trust you. »
Eddie looked at her, surprised.
« Ah… madam, are you sure? That’s not how it’s usually done. »
She smiled at him gently, hiding her true intentions:
« Don’t worry, my son. I just want Faith to have a husband. The money will come later. »
Faith’s eyes filled with tears. She wanted to scream, to beg, to run away, but she had nowhere to go.
And so, in the space of a week, her stepmother forced her to marry a man she barely knew, a poor security guard whom everyone despised.
Faith was sent away with a small bag of clothes and chased out of the house.
When they arrived « at his place, » Faith was stunned. It wasn’t really a house. It was a caretaker’s room in a huge villa.
« This is where I live, » Eddie said shyly. « I’m the assistant head of security in this residential area. »
She looked around silently. The place was cramped, just enough room for a bed and a small stove in the corner. Yet she smiled gently:
« It’s small, but it’s ours.
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