"I always knew your aunt was selling her daughter for status. Mark my words, your cousin's headed for disaster. I'm not asking you to marry rich. I just want you with a man who'll treat you right. And you will give him three sons before your cousin's wedding—just to put her in her place."
I stood frozen.
A wave of helplessness rose from somewhere deep inside me, so heavy it crushed the air from my lungs.
This time, I didn't fight back. I accepted it with a calm I didn't feel.
——
I'd thought landing that offer would finally make her happy. Finally get her to stop.
But in the end, I realized the truth.
This war she waged against Aunt Grace—it would never end. Not in this lifetime.
A reckless idea sparked in my mind. I had to take the gamble.
When my mother saw me nod, her face split into a grin.
"I knew you'd agree! Do you have any idea how long I searched to find you such a good man?"
"Think about it—the moment you marry him, you get three sons for free! Pop out three more, and who could possibly compete with you?"
"Sure, Joel Lambert's a little older, but older men have their advantages. He'll know how to take care of you..."