Chapter 21Blind rage. It filled Nancy's spirit like a terrible ailment that needed a cure, yet that cure was not forthcoming, not now, not anytime soon. Nancy stood there staring after Derek, the man that was supposed to be her husband in a few hours. He intended to treat her like a piece of trash? He saw her like filth, for something she knew absolutely nothing of, how did she get here? Whoever told him she wanted to be married to him? He was insufferable enough, his proud self and arrogance. She had only met him last night and he was already causing her too much trouble. First, it was her damn thought that would go anywhere away from him, try as she could to divert it and now he was standing before his father and all family and his men, rejecting her openly like a worthless piece of shit. Nancy felt her breathing hitch as she stared after him, his mother chose that time to run towards her in what Nancy considered a feigned worry."Lydia darling. How are you? Pay no mind to Derek,

Chapter 23Derek's eyes were drawn to the vision in white walking towards him on the aisle. He could not believe for a second that this was the venomous woman he had spoken with just yesterday. He had known she was beautiful, but somehow, in this wedding gown, she looked exquisite. He was almost tempted to smile up at her as her father led her towards him, hand in hand. Even the congregation were silent, everyone watched the bride and some even passed glances between the bride and groom to see the groom's reaction to his beautiful wife. At the feel of Harvey's elbow being pressed against his ribs, Derek managed to smile up at his approaching bride. He had never seen a black bride in a wedding gown before but today he was not only seeing but he was getting married to one. She had said she would try to stop this, that she only needed to meet and talk to her parents, and here, here she was, being led by her father to the alter. What had happened? Had the conversation not gone as planned?

Chapter 25Nancy dumped the heavy gown on the bed after trying hard to gather it off the floor. She turned to see Derek still staring at her, she was tempted to smack him in the face so he would look away but she changed her mind and went into the bathroom instead. Since the whole house was busy and everyone expected that the newlyweds were probably having a nice time together, Nancy decided not to disturb the maids either. She filled the bath tub with water and sank inside it, the cold water was refreshing. It helped to relax her mind. Here, her thoughts drifted to the small village stream that she was used to swimming in back in her own village. She would play with Mmabong there as a child, sometimes with other children and then they would return home to a delicious meal likely prepared by her friend's mother. Nancy smiled at the thought, those were memories, memories that will never replay itself.She was now married herself and God help her, she might even become a mother someday.

Chapter 27She stood in the master bedroom staring after the bed with a satisfied smile. The house was beautiful, big, and this new master was indeed rich. She had gathered he was the first son of his family, the heir. He was her type of man and she would find immense pleasure making him hers. This bed, she thought as she ran her hand through the soft bed linens, it would be hers too, just soon. Her name was Naya. She had been stolen from her village when she was just five years old and ever since then, she has been sold from port to port as a slave. Her people were horse breeders not warriors so they hadn't stood a chance against the men that raided and decimated her village, and she was not the only girl to be carried off by the men who had raided them. She had been sold the next morning herself, and had served several owners before the last one died and she ended up in the slave market again.She had learnt much in her thirteen years of slavery, learnt that she had powers that wen

Chapter 29Nancy sat across the dining from Derek, picking moodily at her food, occasionally she would pass him furious looks which he barely noticed because he was so intent on his meal. After trying fruitlessly to eat, she dropped the spoon and slumped back in her seat, staring up at the ceiling. The dinner was delicious, having been prepared by Rosey herself on Nancy's instruction. But today, Nancy's mood was so foul that she could barely get a bite past her mouth. Derek on the other hand was in a much better mood, he hated happily and even hummed to a tuneless song. He shook his head to the rhythm occasionally and did not even spare Nancy a glance. Her temper was boiling, even when she hit the cutlery noisily on the plate, he did not look her way. He merely shook his head and continued eating noisily. Why wouldn't he be happy? Nancy thought. For one week since they moved into this house, he had left her confined in this house everyday while he go out and return only in the night