WHEN YOU ARE MINE

Lucy Gracevid sat in front of the enormous mirror, and her reflection revealed how stunning she would look as a bride on that day. Even better, her outfit was dazzling and envy-inducing, and her flawless skin was unadorned as if she required adornments. This was all meaningless to her, though. Not only did she appear stunning, but there was a nervous look on her face since something was heavy in the corner of her heart. She wore the saddest eyes, and her face lacked the gorgeous grin she should have worn on a day like today. Frowning, teeth tight, wrath hiding briefly behind bitter lips. It should have been her wedding day, so why did it seem like she was in prison? Her thoughts drifted away, and she was unaware of the man who had just entered the room behind her. He was in his mid-fifties and emitted certain dominance. "It is time, Lucy," he murmured softly. Lucy groaned and forced herself standing up, her action slow at best. He took her hand and led her from the room. The bridesmaids are just outside, and one of them passes Lucy a bouquet. The congregation waited expectantly inside the vibrant church, behind the huge wedding entry to the floor-tiled aisle. She had been in the church, afraid of the situation. The man holding her hand was her uncle. As they made their way down the aisle, the bridal party followed closely behind. The congregation stood, their eyes admiring the beautiful bride. Lucy’s heart pounded faster with each step, a silent question echoing in her mind: Is this really the end of everything? As they neared the altar, Lucy’s gaze landed on the groom. He was handsome and confident, his smile filled with self-assurance. Her heart raced even more. “Remember, Lucy,” her uncle whispered harshly, “this marriage is the key to our family’s future. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.” He forced a smile, but Lucy could see the pressure behind his eyes. Finally, she stood before the groom and the priest who would join them in holy matrimony. The groom smirked at her, but Lucy’s eyes were filled with disdain. “Today, we are gathered to witness the union of the Gracevid and Hamilton families,” the priest began. “We will now hear the vows from both the bride and groom to affirm this sacred bond.” The priest turned to the groom first. “Greg Hamilton, do you take Lucy Gracevid as your lawfully wedded wife, in sorrow and in laughter, in poverty and in wealth, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” "Indeed, I do," Greg responded without hesitation. The priest then approached Lucy and gave a similar conversation starter. Everyone's gaze was drawn to her, and the crowd grew silent. Lucy paused, her gaze drawn to the members of her family — her mother, sister, and father — who were all waiting for her response. Nonetheless, her uncle became increasingly restless. "Lucy, answer the question," he prodded, but his voice sounded distant. Her own breath seemed to be stronger in her ears. Brightfed, she quietly muttered the name of her true lover. A horn sounded from outside the assembly. It appeared to be identifiable, melding something within her. Without thinking, Lucy quickly turned on her heel and dashed down the aisle, her veil flowing behind her. Her uncle called after her, but she was too quick; her confidence fueled her pace. She dashed through the church doors as a car screeched to a stop in front of her. At that point, the door was already open, waiting, Without batting an eye, she jumped in, and the truck sped away, leaving the stunned congregation behind. ________________________________________ As the car drove through the streets, Lucy's mind raced back to another time, another place, where life was similarly uncertain and horrible Twenty-Two Years Ago… The eastern side of Dallas has always been a place of shades and tenacity. It was a city neglected by those in positions of power, where the strong pursued the weak and the weaker learned to fight on their own. For Sansa, a twelve-year-old girl, the truth was all she knew. Sansa dwelled with Mrs. Miller, a serious woman who skillfully baked doughnuts, pies, and cakes. Sansa's occupation was to sell warmed things in the city. In return for her work, she was given a spot to rest, food, and a rooftop over her head. Shockingly right off the bat, from the beginning, she demonstrated significant strengths in her relationships with her clients, much of the time getting a couple of additional bucks, which she covertly put away for her dream about going to school. On this specific morning, Sansa had sold every last bit of her products and got surprisingly income. Feeling fortunate, she concluded to do as she had seen others do by making a wish. She strolled to the scaffold over the dam, where individuals frequently dropped coins into the water, trusting that their desires would work out as expected. Standing on the bridge, she closed her eyes and muttered her deepest want. "I wish my courtesan would send me to school, so I can become like Ephraim Martinez," she said, referring to the respected attorney who was well-known for defending the rights of human in the city. When she delivered the coin after she opened her eyes, she was expecting it to fall into the lake below. All things considered, though, the coin came aboard a boat that was passing beneath the scaffold. It was pointed at her by someone of her age, perhaps a bit older, Coco he is called. “Hey! Throw it into the river!” Sansa called out. The boy couldn’t hear her over the noise of the boat. “What?” he shouted back. “Toss the coin in the river!” Sansa yelled again. But the boy, Coco, only shrugged. “I’ll keep it for you!” he called back, misunderstanding her. This time the wave carried his voice towards Sansa that she can hear him, “keep it? No you dummy!” she said in her mind. “No, throw the coin in the river!” Sansa insisted, but before she could continue, Mrs. Miller appeared behind her, furious. “You ungrateful child!” Mrs. Miller scolded, grabbing Sansa by the ear. “I dress you, feed you, and you throw my coin away for a stupid wish?” . Sansa did not have the time or energy to figure out that the coin belonged to Mrs. Miller. She reacted too strongly, shattered free from Mrs. Miller’s grip, and fled, scattering the money she earned on the ground. Sansa disappeared into the congested roadways, as the displeased shouts of Mrs. Miller faded. Meanwhile, from his boat, Coco observed the unfolding of events. He was stranded on the water, unable to do anything but watch as the girl take off, even though he needed to help and return the coin. The woman must be angry because of this coin, Coco gazed at it. “Hey kid!” The fisher, Mr. Whitaker, the man who owns the boat called him. Coco has been helping him during fishing activities like this. “Pack those nets in the sack.” He instructed and Coco who obeyed him at the instant