Chapter 2

Edwin drew in a long breath. He knew well enough that earlier that day he had been utterly powerless. It was no wonder his strength had been no match for the four men. He had not even found an opening to try and escape.

The air in the room felt heavy and awkward to him. Jasmin however appeared entirely at ease. She sat focused on her phone. Edwin did the same. He picked up his own device and sent word to his family back in the city about what had happened. The two people who had just been joined in marriage had no desire whatsoever to speak to one another.

Edwin did not mind the silence. He preferred it this way. He had never been one to enjoy crowds or unnecessary conversation.

After a while Jasmin began to feel overheated. She shifted against the headboard. She adjusted her nightclothes, a deep maroon pajama set that was her favorite.

She pulled her hair back loosely. It fell away to reveal the clean line of her neck. Edwin watched her and let out a quiet sigh. He felt trapped in a place he should never have been. A wedding ceremony, vows spoken, and now sharing a room with a stranger who showed so little grace. It all felt wrong. He wanted nothing to do with her.

Jasmin picked up a small hand fan and cooled her face. That was when Edwin noticed something. Something that had been hidden was now plain to see. He stared at her closely. His eyes rested on her stomach which looked rounded and swollen.

Jasmin turned her head and met his gaze sharply.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Edwin moved back until he reached the edge of the bed.

"You…" He stopped and swallowed. "You are pregnant."

His voice was thick with disbelief.

"So what if I am?" she said. "Have you never seen a pregnant woman before?"

"It is true then." He ran a hand roughly over his face. "God help me. I have been trapped into a marriage built on nothing but deceit."

Jasmin offered a cold, lopsided smile.

"Enough of that. You know now. There is no need for me to explain it all over again. You might even consider yourself lucky, are you not?"

"You are not making any sense." Edwin raised his voice. "How can you speak like this? Do you not understand that your family has tricked me? Answer me."

Jasmin did not flinch. She looked at him without a flicker of remorse.

"Stop making such a fuss. You are free to go if you wish. The ceremony is done. I have no further need of you here."

"What?" Edwin's eyes went wide. His jaw tightened and his face flushed dark.

"Why are you so shocked?" Jasmin continued, a small laugh escaping her. "You should have realized. I am carrying a child. It is hardly unusual. There is no reason to look so stricken."

"You have no shame." Edwin clenched his fists so tight his knuckles turned white.

"That is enough." He began to pack his things into a bag. He grabbed his phone from the edge of the bed. Jasmin watched him calmly. She had expected him to leave. She was not afraid. Her father would never let him walk away so easily.

She felt no regret. They were strangers after all. She was grateful to her father for arranging this match. Now everyone would see she was married. No one would ask questions about the child.

Edwin reached the door and glanced back. Jasmin stood with her arms folded, her chin held high.

"Go then," she said with a touch of arrogance. "What are you waiting for?"

Edwin breathed out hard. She was just like her father. Proud, deceitful, and shameless. He pulled the door open and froze. Standing outside were the same two men who had dragged him to the altar. Each held a blade.

"You planned this." He glared at them. "Your minds are so very small."

"Are you so brave?" Edwin rolled up his sleeves. "My strength has returned. Men like you are no threat to me now."

The men laughed.

"You may be strong," one of them said, "but what of your frail mother? Would you see her struck down in your place?"

He held up his phone. On the screen Edwin saw his mother standing outside her home. Two other men stood watching her. Edwin's face went pale.

"You…"

"Get back inside," the man said. "And make yourself comfortable."

They laughed again as they shut the door.

Damn it all.

Edwin slammed the door shut. Behind him Jasmin allowed a faint, satisfied smile to appear.

Got you, she thought.

Edwin dragged his hands through his hair. He felt like the biggest fool alive. He had been played by this family. Every gentle thought he had held, every willingness to make the best of things, vanished. He understood now. This marriage was nothing but a cover to hide their disgrace. They had used him without a second thought.

He walked slowly to the sofa and sank down. He was exhausted in body and spirit.

He heard her footsteps approach. His eyes snapped open.

"What else do you want?" he said. "Do not think I will share your bed in any way. You know exactly what I mean." He looked pointedly at her stomach. He guessed she was more than five months along.

Jasmin scoffed and tossed a pillow at him.

"Sleep on this then. Do not worry. I have no interest in you either. Do not flatter yourself."

Edwin lay back. He had not noticed her condition at the altar. Now it was impossible to miss.

"Listen to me Jasmin," he said. "I am not ready for any of this. I do not know what to do. But I promise you this. I will not let your family use me for their purposes any longer."

His tone was serious. Jasmin merely kept her haughty expression. Edwin felt caught between two choices. If he left her, people would say he had abandoned a pregnant woman. If he stayed, he would remain their pawn. He could not win.

Lord, what am I to do? he wondered. He felt torn, angry, and helpless all at once.

Earlier that day he had tried to accept his fate. Now he realized there was a secret they had kept from him all along. It was cruel beyond measure.

Hours passed. He could not sleep even though his body cried out for rest. He looked toward the bed where Jasmin slept peacefully. She felt no guilt at all for what she had done.

Edwin closed his eyes. He needed rest so he could think clearly in the morning. That was all that mattered now. Slowly his eyes grew heavy and he drifted off to sleep.