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GLENDA'S POV

Maybe I'm cursed or destined to experience mishaps in this life. It's been barely forty-eight hours since I caught my boyfriend cheating and now I am getting married to a man twenty-six years older than me.

Sent off like an animal for the attornment of the sins of my family. Could I even say I have a family? Family don't treat each other the way mine was treating me.

What did I ever do to deserve this treatment? I guess my crime was in being born. Curse the day of my birth!

"Sign here." The registrar's voice startled me out of my reverie. I took the pen from him, wielding it with an unsteady hold.

My eyes blurred as I signed off my freedom. A tear trickled down my face.

"Keep it together Glenda! You're not the only one here." Dad whispered in anger.

I wasn't even allowed to feel pain. I didn't have the liberty to express my hurt. I was no human before them. I was nothing but a worthless tool, picked up at will.

My life was a rollercoaster, taking turns at will. I had no control over the turns. And I couldn't just stop everything.

Another big turn and I found myself in Maurice's mansion.

"Welcome sir." A lady dressed in the familiar outfit of a maid greeted us as we entered.

"Nora." Maurice acknowledged.

"Nora, this is Glenda, my wife."

Wife, it sounded so strange hearing the title. I was his wife and it was a nightmare I could never wake up from.

"You'll see to it that she's well taken care of."

"I'll prepare your room, sir," Nora said and made to leave but Maurice stopped her.

"No, we won't be sharing a room. Prepare the room next to mine for her." He ordered.

I was a little relieved he was considerate enough to let me have my room. He may not be so much of a monster after all. No! He was! Why would he marry a girl against her will?

"Go with her. Change and be down for dinner." He said to me with the same tone he used with Nora.

He moved to the mini bar by the corner and poured himself a drink. I stood watching him.

He turned around to see me still standing there. His brow went up in question.

"Why did you marry me?" I gathered the courage to ask. It didn't make sense to me.

Dad had already convinced him to make another deal that didn't involve getting married to me. I couldn't understand why when he saw me, he immediately reverted to the first plan.

He walked past me and took a seat, relaxing comfortably on the plush sofa. I still stood, waiting for an answer. My courage was becoming meager.

"I don't owe you an explanation. Don't question me." He said, taking a sip from his glass.

I dared remain before him and when he saw me not flinching to his orders, his countenance changed.

With his authoritative calm he ordered. "Go change and come down for dinner. Don't make me repeat myself."

Of what use could I be to him when everyone I loved rejected me? He didn't even know me before now, nor did I.

"It would have been better if you had let my dad just kick me out instead of bringing me here to order me around like I was your maid."

"I could still kick you out of here if you're so bent on sleeping in the streets."

"You should be grateful I saved you." He took a sip from his drink.

"I should be grateful for being forced to do something I never wanted to do. You are no different from my father!"

I figured it was a bad idea after the words left my mouth because he became livid.

"Do as you're told! Unless you want me to treat you exactly as your father does or maybe worse."

His face had a menacing growl. His eyes had turned dark with anger.

I immediately scurried out of there. I had had enough physical assault for a lifetime. I didn't want more. I went upstairs as instructed.

Thankfully, Nora was waiting for me at the landing. She took me to the room prepared for me.

Half an hour later, I was seated for dinner beside Maurice and an elderly woman Maurice referred to as Nana.

"Who is she?" Nana asked Maurice, motioning her head towards me.

"My wife, Nana. I got married." Maurice answered as he forked a piece of his meal into his mouth.

"How are you dear?" Nana asked me, her tone was sweet and motherly.

Shyly I respond. "I'm fine ma'am,"

"Call me Nana. That's what everyone calls me." She told me with a smile.

Maurice maintained his all too calm demeanor, ignoring our little chatter at the table.

I, on the other hand, was too exhausted to eat. The past few days had taken a toll on me. I had no appetite for food. I tossed my food around my plate thinking no one would pay attention to me.

"Do you want something else to eat dear?" Nana asked, seeing that I wasn't eating anything. She was concerned. She was showing me kindness. Something that I had not known in a while. I was touched by her thoughtfulness.

"Maybe she's not hungry."

Maurice's words dampened the little glimmer of cheer that stirred within me. He sounded so cold and indifferent. Maybe he didn't care if I starved to death.

"Don't be like that Maurice." Nana cautioned. "She is your wife."

It was lovely to think Nana considered me Maurice's wife and deserving of the treatment that is associated with the title. But in truth, Maurice didn't consider me his wife.

I was so sure I was only a pawn in his game. A game I had yet to figure out.

And just when I was beginning to think my problems were weaning and I may survive, life shot me with another surprise.

"Hello, father." The voice that sent my world crashing down greeted as he joined us at the table.

I snapped my head up to see Brian, my cheating ex-boyfriend.

My heart pounded against my chest. Bile rose to my throat. I suddenly felt sick!

Father? Maurice is Brian's father?