ThE BRIDE THEY BURIED

“You will marry him and that's final." The words hit Vanessa like a rock on the face. For a minute, everywhere was silent, she could hear the sound of her own breath hitch. “No, Mom…I can't." “What do you mean you can't...? This was what you did before my husband died. You are just so selfish.” “No”. The word came out before Grace could finish her sentence. Vanessa slowly lowered the tray of tea she had just carried into the living room. She looked from the cups to the elderly man seated comfortably on their worn-out sofa. Chief Raymond Douglas was sixty-eight, with a large potbelly hidden beneath an expensive cream agbada. Gold rings covered his fingers and a diamond-studded walking stick rested between his knees. His eyes moved over Vanessa from head to toe. She immediately folded her arms. “No.” Grace knitted her brows together. “What do you mean, no?” “I can't marry him, mother.” “You can and you will." “Mom, please." “Please what?” Vanessa pointed at Chief Raymond. “Look at him." Chief Raymond raised an eyebrow. Vanessa lowered her voice. “I mean…look at his age. If I marry him now, I'll be the seventh wife he has married this year”. Chief Raymond laughed, but Grace didn't. “Seven wives?” he asked. “That's an exaggeration." “Is it?” He smiled. “The last woman I married is currently on her way to Dubai”. Vanessa stared at him. “You're saying that like it's supposed to impress me”. “It should”. “But it doesn't”. Grace slammed her palm against the table. “Vanessa!” “What?” “Stop embarrassing me”. “Mom…”. She whimpered. “Yes”, Grace snapped and stepped closer to her. “For eight months, her voice rose. I have begged you, I cried and I knelt before you. I told you what Chief could do for this family, but you refused”. Vanessa's expression changed. “Because I don't want to marry him…come on mother look how old he is… I'm very sure his children will be my age mate.” “You never think about anybody except yourself”. Vanessa stared at her. “Mom, I'm just twenty-four”. “So?” “I'm just starting my life”, she pointed at her nursing uniform hanging over the back of a chair. “I want to work, I want to become a good nurse, I want to make my own money and take care of you”. Grace laughed bitterly. “Take care of me? Have you looked inside the cupboards lately?”She pointed toward the kitchen. Vanessa walked into the tiny kitchen. She opened the first cupboard, it was empty, the second…nothing then the third…only a half-empty bag of rice. Grace stood behind her. "The landlord came yesterday, the electricity company came this morning, We owe money everywhere". Vanessa fell silent. “I know we're struggling…”Her voice shook. “…No, you don't”, Grace cut in. “You don't know what it feels like to wake up and wonder whether there will be food in the house”. Vanessa swallowed. “I'll find a way”. “You've been saying that for eight months”. “Mom… I promise I'll get a better job”. “With which money?” “Mom….” “Enough!” The room fell silent. Chief Raymond leaned forward. “Young woman, you don't have to struggle anymore”. Vanessa gave a dead stare at the old man. “I have money. Plenty of it”. “Sir, we don't want your money”. Vanessa's voice shook. "Mom, you think I should marry a man old enough to be my father because he's rich?" Grace folded her arms. "I think you should stop thinking like a child". Vanessa turned toward Grace. “I'm not old enough to be someone's seventh wife”. Grace's eyes filled with anger. “Your father died because of your stubbornness!” Vanessa froze. “Don't bring Dad into this.” “He was lying in that hospital bed while I begged you to accept Chief's help.” “I didn't know he was going to die.” “And what did you do?” Grace's voice cracked. “You refused.” Vanessa's eyes burned. “If Dad were alive, he would never allow this.” Grace's face hardened. “Of course he wouldn't”, She laughed bitterly. “He was selfish too, and that's why he died and left me to suffer the consequences.” Vanessa stared at her mother, her stomach twisted. “Don't say that, Mom.” “I'll say whatever I want!” Vanessa looked at Chief Raymond's in disbelief. "You really think you can buy a human being?" He smiled as if he was enjoying the moment. “No my love…but I can offer you and your mother a better life.” Vanessa hissed, "I already have a life". "A poor one at that.” His words hit harder than he intended. Vanessa straightened. "I may be poor but I sleep with a clear conscience". A faint smile crossed Chief Raymond's lips. "That will change". "It won't". "It will". "It won't". Grace suddenly lost her patience. "Enough. The wedding will take place next month". Her lips parted. "You've fixed a wedding date?" “What!” Grace nodded, “You heard me. And he brought gifts." Vanessa felt the blood drain from her face. "What…gi…gifts?" Without saying a word, Grace opened the bedroom wardrobe, it was full of designer handbags, gold jewelry, an expensive smartphone, and bundles of cash. Vanessa was stunned at the items displayed in her face. Her feet ran cold at the sudden realisation. She slowly turned toward her. "You took all this… without asking me?" "I knew you'd eventually understand". "No". Vanessa's voice was barely above a whisper. The silence was heavy this time. Hot tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to relax her back against the wall to support her already trembling legs. "I think I now understand it perfectly,” She looked at the gifts… To Grace, Then to Chief Raymond. "You've already sold me”. The words hung in the air like a slap. Grace's face hardened, "Watch your mouth". Vanessa looked from the pile of expensive gifts to the woman she had called Mother all her life. "Tell me I'm wrong…” Grace was quiet as tears rolled down her cheek. “I accepted them because I'm tired!" Grace's voice cracked. "I'm tired of counting every grain of rice before I cook, I'm tired of hiding from landlords, tired of borrowing money to survive". "And you think marrying me off will solve everything?" "It will". “It will only solve your problems,” Vanessa shot back. "Not mine". Grace's patience snapped, Her hand flew through the air and the slap echoed across the room. Vanessa stumbled back, her hand flying to her burning cheek. For a few seconds, nobody spoke. Chief Raymond remained seated, watching the scene with unreadable eyes. Vanessa slowly lifted her head. There were tears in her eyes, but they refused to fall. "You slapped me..." Grace's chest rose and fell. "You forced me to". "I forced you?" "If you had simply agreed, none of this would have happened". Vanessa laughed, A broken and painful laugh. "You actually believe that". "I know it". "No...", she shook her head. "You stopped being my mother the moment you chose money over me". Grace's expression changed, pain and guilt flickered in her eyes, but they disappeared as quickly as they came. "You'll marry him". "I won't". "You don't have a choice because you live under my roof". "I can leave", Grace's eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare". Vanessa remained quiet. Chief Raymond finally rose from the sofa. He leaned on his polished walking stick and walked toward Vanessa with slow, measured steps. The closer he came, the more uncomfortable she felt. He stopped just a few feet away. "I admire courage". "I don't care what you like". "You will…You'll learn", His smile slowly disappeared. For the first time, his face looked cold, almost dangerous. "Do you know how many women would beg for this opportunity?" "I'm not one of them". Grace gasped. "Vanessa!" Chief Raymond lifted one hand, stopping Grace from speaking. He kept staring at Vanessa. "I've built businesses, I've negotiated with presidents and I've never been told NO.” "Then today is your lucky day". Everywhere became silent. Vanessa refused to lower her eyes, so did he. Finally...He smiled again, but this smile felt different, It wasn't warm,It wasn't friendly. It was the smile of someone who had already decided the outcome. "You'll change your mind". “I would rather die than marry an old cargo like you…” The room went silent, Grace stared at Vanessa in horror and Chief Raymond looked at her for several long seconds. Then he nodded once. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that". He turned toward Grace. "I've already transferred the first payment". Grace lowered her head. "Yes, Chief". "The rest comes after the wedding". "Yes, Chief". "If the wedding doesn't happen...", He paused deliberately. "I will take everything back". Grace swallowed. "I understand". "The phone, the jewelry, the money, the shop and the land documents, everything". Grace's face turned pale. "I've already spent some of the money”. “Then make sure your daughter is ready.” Chief Raymond's voice remained calm. That calmness frightened Vanessa more than shouting ever could. "If I don't get my bride… I'll recover every dollar and believe me… I always collect what's mine". He looked at Vanessa one last time. "When you're ready to behave like a sensible young woman… My doors are open". He walked toward the entrance. Before stepping outside, he stopped. Without turning around, he spoke. "You have one week". The front door closed behind him, The sound seemed to shake the entire house, Neither woman moved. Finally… Grace sank on the sofa, She covered her face with both hands. "What have you done?" Vanessa stared at her in disbelief. "What have I done?" "You've made him angry!" "I wasn't the one forcing a marriage!" "You don't understand who that man is". "No", Vanessa grabbed her nursing bag from the chair. "I don't think you understand who he is", Grace looked up. "Mum...". Nothing. Vanessa slowly knelt in front of her. "If something is wrong… We'll figure it out together, You don't have to sell me". For a brief moment, Grace's eyes filled with tears. Vanessa reached for her hand and Grace pulled it away. "There is nothing to figure out". She stood abruptly. "The wedding will happen". Vanessa's heart shattered all over again. "So that's your final answer". "Yes". Vanessa nodded slowly. "Then this is mine". She picked up her nursing bag, turned around, and walked toward her bedroom without looking back. Behind her, Grace called her name. Once, twice, three times but Vanessa never answered. She closed the bedroom door, then quietly slid the lock into place. Outside, Grace stood staring at the closed door, A strange feeling settled in her chest. For the first time… She wasn't afraid that Vanessa would refuse the marriage, She was afraid… Vanessa might disappear. Vanessa pressed her back against the bedroom door. Outside, she could hear Grace pacing from one end of the living room to the other. The floorboards creaked with every step, She closed her eyes. A few minutes ago, she wanted to scream, Now… She felt nothing. Slowly, she walked to the small table beside her bed. A faded photograph rested there. She picked it up, Daniel Williams smiled back at her. Her father or at least the only father she had ever known, His arm was around her shoulders and both of them were laughing at something the camera could never capture. Her thumb brushed across the cracked frame. "I wish you were here, Dad". Her voice trembled. "You would've known what to do". A tear rolled down her cheek. "You always told me that a woman should never trade her dignity for comfort". She smiled weakly. "I finally understand what you meant". Her eyes drifted around the tiny bedroom. The faded curtains, the old wardrobe and the narrow bed. This room had never been beautiful but it had always felt safe. Not anymore, Vanessa bent down and pulled an old travel bag from beneath the bed. The zipper was broken on one side but she didn't care. She folded her nursing uniforms first, then two pairs of jeans, a few blouses, her nursing license, her certificates, and her passport. Finally, she reached beneath her mattress and pulled out a white envelope. Her savings. She counted the money carefully, Not much. Just enough to survive for a few weeks if she was careful. She slipped the envelope into her bag and closed it. "One step at a time", she whispered. "I'll figure the rest out". A knock interrupted her thoughts. "Vanessa". Grace's voice was softer this time, No anger, no shouting, just exhaustion. "Please open the door". Vanessa remained silent. "I know you're upset, I shouldn't have slapped you". Vanessa was still silent. Grace rested her forehead against the door. "I just...", her voice cracked."I don't know how to fix this". Vanessa squeezed her eyes shut. For one painful second, she almost unlocked the door, almost. Then she remembered Chief Raymond's eyes, the way he'd looked at her, not like a woman but like a possession. Her hand dropped away from the lock. "I can't marry him". Grace let out a shaky breath. "You don't understand". "Then explain it to me". Grace didn't say anything. "Mum...". Another long silence. Finally, Grace spoke. "If you leave this house… Don't come back". The words landed like stones, Vanessa's heart clenched. She had expected anger, even another slap but not that. She looked at the door in disbelief. "Are you serious?". No answer. "Mum?". Still nothing. A few seconds later, she heard Grace's footsteps fade away, Vanessa slowly sat on the edge of the bed and she stared at the packed bag. "So… This is really goodbye". Outside, Grace stood in the living room, clutching her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her breathing was uneven, She scrolled to one contact. Chief Raymond, She hesitated, then pressed the call button. He answered almost immediately. "Yes?" "Chief..." "She refused". "I know". Grace frowned. "You knew?" "I saw it in her eyes". Grace swallowed. "I think she's planning to leave". They stayed in silence, then… A low chuckle echoed through the speaker. "Let her". Grace blinked. "What?" "She has nowhere to go". "But…" "Listen to me carefully", His voice became cold. "She's a nurse, She will look for work and get tired. She will run out of money And when she does… She'll come back". Grace felt a chill crawl down her spine. "And if she doesn't?". Another pause. Then Chief Raymond said quietly, "I will find her". The words sent fear through Grace's entire body. "You mean..." "I always get what belongs to me". The line went off. Grace lowered the phone with trembling hands, For the first time since accepting his gifts… She wondered if she had invited a monster into their lives. Inside her room, Vanessa had no idea what had just happened. She zipped up her travel bag, looked around the room one final time, then her eyes landed on Daniel's photograph again. She walked back and picked it up. Carefully wrapped it inside one of her sweaters before placing it into her bag. "You will come with me". She smiled through her tears, "Wherever I'm going". She switched off the light. Darkness swallowed the room But sleep never came, She lay on the bed fully dressed, Her travel bag rested beside her hand. Every few minutes she checked the time on her phone. 2:13 a.m, 3:41 a.m, 4:26 a.m. Just before dawn. She quietly stood, lifted the bag on her shoulder, and opened the bedroom door as gently as she could. The house was silent, Grace had fallen asleep on the sofa but tear stains still marked her cheeks. Vanessa stood there for a long moment, Part of her wanted to walk over and cover her with a blanket, to say goodbye. Instead… She whispered so softly that only she could hear it. "I hope one day you understand why I had to leave". She turned toward the front door, her fingers wrapped around the handle. One deep breath, then another, She opened it. The cool morning air rushed against her face without looking back… Vanessa stepped outside and the door clicked shut behind her. She didn't know where she was going, She didn't know who would help her. She didn't know that somewhere, miles away, fate was already preparing to return her to a past she couldn't remember. All she knew was this… She would rather face the entire world alone, than spend one day as Chief Raymond's wife And with that, Vanessa disappeared into the breaking dawn.