2
334words
So,it was Tom’s mother who had masterminded this despicable scheme!
Ever since I was a child,I’d lived with the Bradleys.
Tom’s mom had told me that my birth parents sold me to traffickers,and she bought me,providing me with food and a place to live.
She said I owed them,so I had to marry Tom.
Feeling indebted,I slaved for them without complaint,believing it was my duty.
On my eighteenth birthday,I married Tom as she demanded.
After marriage,Tom beat and berated me,calling me barren.
A hospital visit revealed he was the infertile one,but he blamed me,escalating the abuse.
I never wore short sleeves,hiding the bruises covering my body.
Now I finally saw the truth—it had all been a carefully planned plot.
They tricked me into being a child bride,exploited me like a mercilessly,and kept me from my real parents!
Fury surged,blurring my vision as tears mixed with the rain.
The Bradleys had sinned gravely,and this life,they’d pay the price.
Wiping away my tears,I composed myself and entered,pretending I’d just arrived.
“Phew,this rain’s crazy!I’m completely exhausted.Oh,Mary,you’re here too!”
They’d clearly just finished,sweaty and disheveled.
Mary flinched,startled.Tom stayed calm.
“Yeah,Mariam’s back!I was bored,so I popped over to chat with Tom.Gosh,it’s hot!”
Mary fanned herself nervously,words jumbling,eyes darting.
Tom lit a cigarette,glancing at me.“When’d you get back?”
His suspicion was sharp,testing if I’d overheard.
I snorted inwardly but cooed,“Just now,honey.Look,my feet, they’re all cut up. I’m so tired!”
I feigned a whine,and Tom,somewaht convinced,gave me another long look.
Mary,seeing I didn’t care,grew bold,ordering me,“Mariam,it’s late,and I’m starving.Cook something.I haven’t had meat in ages!”
I smiled brightly,“Sure thing,Mary.Let me show you my cooking skills!”
In the kitchen,I listened intently to their conversation.
“She’s just like you said—she does whatever she’s told.What a pushover!”
“Told you.She was born to serve me.Harper heiress?More like a worthless nobody!”
“Later,I’ll find a opportunity to get rid of her,and then we’ll move into the Harper mansion!”
“Tom,you’re the real deal.I picked right.Soon,I’ll be swimming in cash!”