Chapter 158

Maya White sat rigidly on the tractor, her fingers digging into the hem of her dress. The women around her—aunts and cousins who had come to see her off—chattered and laughed, oblivious to her ashen expression.

"Maya, it's good that your family put the groom in his place!" Aunt Wang leaned in with a grin. "That way, he'll know his place when you're married."

"Exactly! Look how obedient Frank is—he does whatever he's told," Li Erniu giggled behind her hand.

Maya's chest heaved. Obedient? More like spineless! The way her husband had groveled before Luna was downright humiliating.

The tractor rumbled into the Harris family's village, the deafening crackle of firecrackers drowning out all other sounds. As she was helped down, Maya nearly stumbled, her eyes burning holes into Frank's back.

The bridal chamber, at least, looked presentable—white walls, red-framed windows, and a towering stack of brand-new quilts. Mechanically, Maya went through the wedding rituals before retreating inside with a few thin red envelopes in hand.

"I'm dead tired!" Frank collapsed onto the kang like a sack of potatoes the moment he entered.

Maya finally snapped. "The way you acted back at the Whites'—"

Before she could finish, Frank lunged up and slapped her across the face.

"You worthless bitch! Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life!" He yanked her collar, snarling. "You're the only bride in the whole damn village without a dowry! You've made me a laughingstock!"

Her vision swam, her cheek burning. In a flash of fury, she raked her nails down his neck.

Frank howled as she kicked him off the kang. They tumbled to the floor in a vicious tangle—his fists like iron, battering her until she could barely breathe. If Old Man Harris hadn't shouted from outside, she might have blacked out.

"Just you wait! I'll finish you off when I get back!" Frank spat before storming out, slamming the door behind him.

Maya lay sprawled on the kang, blood trickling from her split lip. She stared at the ceiling, tears streaming uncontrollably. This is all Luna's fault! If it weren't for that—

Raucous laughter drifted in from outside. Wiping her face, Maya forced herself to straighten her clothes. She practiced a smile in the mirror until it looked convincing.

"The bride's coming out for the toast!"

Maya minced over to Frank's side, demurely accepting a glass of liquor. The men's rowdy cheers made her ears burn.

"Frank's a lucky man!"

"What a pretty wife!"

Frank smugly wrapped an arm around her waist, his grip painfully tight. Maya smiled through gritted teeth, downing glass after glass.

Late that night, Frank drunkenly pinned her down. She endured in silence, her nails biting into her palms. The pale moonlight through the window glinted off the bruises already darkening her arms.

That night, Maya realized one thing—her happy ending would never come.