In my previous life, I had spent ten long years trapped in this village. I knew its every corner, every hidden path. The family that bought me back then wanted a child bride for their simple-minded son. I had fought, I had tried to escape—only to be chained to a pigsty, starved, and beaten into submission.
But this time, I wouldn't resist. Not yet. I would play along, earn their trust… and then make them regret ever touching me.
After three grueling days and two nights, the car finally rolled to a stop on a deserted road outside Willow Creek.
Sally cooed at me, her voice sickly sweet.
"Lauren, we’re here! Come with Grandma!"
Obediently, I climbed out of the car and followed them. I hadn't cried or thrown a fit for the entire journey. I had eaten whatever they gave me, remained quiet and well-behaved. Now, standing in the darkness of the desolate mountain, I met their eyes with a bright, eager smile.
"Auntie, Grandma, will Lauren have endless candied haws to eat later?"
Rosemary snorted, lowering her voice. "Is this girl an idiot? She’s already here, and she’s still thinking about candied haws."
Sally shook her head. "It doesn’t matter. I heard the buyer’s son is simple-minded too. A fool for a fool—it’ll work out just fine. As long as they can have children, that’s all that matters."
They led me through the village under the cover of night.
Before long, we arrived at Willie’s house—the very same family that had bought me in my past life.
They were already waiting in the yard, grinning ear to ear.
Willie held up a kerosene lamp, its flickering light casting eerie shadows over my face.
"She’s a pretty one," he muttered, pleased.
His wife clutched their ten-year-old son, Simon, beaming as she nudged him forward.
"My dear son, we bought you a little wife. Do you like her?"
Drool dribbled down Simon’s chin as he stared at me blankly. He was nearly my height despite being older, his dull eyes glinting with excitement.
"I like her..." he giggled foolishly.
I giggled too.
A man in his forties, his face blackened from years of work, took a swig from his wine pot and frowned.
"Are you sure she’s normal?" he grumbled. "Don’t try to trick us with some dimwitted girl in the middle of the night."
"Of course she’s normal!" Rosemary hurriedly reassured him. "Look, she even has a certificate of being a Three-Good Student from her school!"