Rose lay on her bed, her head in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. She couldn't believe what had just happenedShe had been told that she had to marry someone she didn't know, or her brother would be killed. She felt like she was trapped, with no way outAnd on top of it all, she was missing her mother more than ever. She felt like she was lost in a maze of despair, with no way out. She curled up into a ball, pulling her knees to her chest, and wept.After what felt like hours, the door opened, and Ma mére enteredthe room. She looked at Rose with concern, and approached her"My dear child," she said, her voice gentle. "What is wrong? Tell me what happened." Rose looked up at her, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "It's... it's..." she stammered, trying to find the words. "It's the woman," she said, her voice cracking. "Madame Gloria. She told me... she told me that I had to marry someone... or... or she would... she would... hurt my brother!" She dissolved into tears again, una
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