"My family’s not struggling. We don’t rely on dowry money to put food on the table. All I wanted was a little respect, nothing more."
We stood there, glaring at each other, neither of us willing to back down.
Zora’s face twisted with fury, her lips pulling back into a snarl as she rushed to shield Amelia, her stance protective.
"What kind of woman are you?" she spat, her voice dripping with disdain.
"And what kind of woman is my Amelia? My Amelia is pure, proper, a true lady. You? You’re already carrying someone else’s child.”
“Who else would even consider you? Anthony choosing you is your good fortune and still, you demand a wedding and dowry? Take a long, hard look at yourself."
She glared at me like I was something beneath her, her words cutting deep.
After all this time, the truth slipped from their lips at last.
So, to them, a woman was nothing once she bore a child?
And they thought they could use the baby to twist my arm?
I let my eyes sweep over the room, a cold laugh escaping my lips, its chill biting through the air.
"What a pity…"
Zora scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain.
"What’s so pitiful? Married life is the same for everyone in the end."
"No…" I interrupted sharply.