She pulled out a homework book and a neatly stamped certificate from my sister’s schoolbag, thrusting them forward.
Willie and his wife examined the papers, nodding in satisfaction.
"Brother, look at this handwriting! Neat and beautiful! She’ll surely give birth to a smart son for our Conrad Family."
The black-faced man, Erick, still seemed unconvinced, but the elder in his sixties, seated behind them with a pipe in hand, let out a heavy sigh.
"It’s fine," he murmured. "Back then, I promised my older brother I’d take care of you two. Now the second brother’s son has a wife. That just leaves you…"
A wife. A breeding tool. A prisoner.
That was all I had been to them in my last life.
The one who spoke was their uncle, Daryl.
This old man was infertile and had spent his life raising his deceased elder brother’s sons, Erick and Willie.
"Uncle, I’m already over forty," Erick sighed. "I’ve worked these fields all my life, and no woman would want me. Unlike my brother—at least he got to marry our cousin. Me? I’m not that lucky."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. No wonder their son turned out to be a fool.
The next second, I pretended to finally understand what was happening and burst into tears, trembling in fear.
"You said we were going to eat candied haws! Why did you bring me here instead?"
Willie and his wife stiffened, their eyes darting toward the neighbors’ houses. Probably afraid my crying would alert someone, they quickly crouched down to comfort me.
Rosemary and Sally chimed in with forced smiles. "Good girl, don’t cry. If you marry this brother, you’ll have even tastier things than candied haws!"
I sniffled, tilting my head in pretend confusion. "Really?"
Relieved, they nodded eagerly.
I pointed at Simon, who was still drooling, and asked innocently, "But I’m so young. How can I be his wife?"
They laughed as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "All girls grow up to be wives, Lauren. If you stay with him from a young age, you’ll be treated even better in the future!"
"Oh." I pretended to understand and obediently nodded.
They exchanged relieved glances, then turned to Willie and his wife.
"The girl is here. Our car is parked at the village entrance—it’s too noticeable. Better settle the remaining 10,000 dollars quickly."
Willie wasted no time, nudging his wife to fetch the money.