Benita’s POV Today was the day—the one I’d been waiting for my whole life. It could either be the best day or the worst, and I wasn’t sure which terrified me more. Standing in front of the mirror, I studied my reflection. My cheeks were slightly flushed, giving me a soft, youthful appearance, while my body curved in ways that didn’t fit the slim, toned ideal my family worshiped. My hips were full, my stomach soft, and my thighs pressed together when I shifted my weight. I could see every part of me that didn’t fit into the narrow expectations of what beauty was supposed to look like. I tied my black hair into a bun and wore jeans and a simple shirt—not exactly the look of someone excited for a mating ceremony. But I had learned not to expect much, and I dressed like I was bracing for disappointment. “Benita, get your lazy ass down here!” my mother yelled from downstairs. I let out a heavy sigh before hurrying out of my room and down the stairs into the sitting room. As expected, N
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