Soma’s heart began to race.
“Who is he?”
Felicia smiled.
And that smile carried no warmth.
“Baba Akutu.”
The room fell silent.
Soma blinked, certain she had misheard.
“The old man?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Felicia replied. “You seem to like him so much. Now you can take care of him properly.”
Caro burst into laughter, covering her mouth.
Soma’s throat ached.
“Ma, he is seventy-five.”
Felicia finished calmly, “And you are young. Good. You will serve him well.”
“This is not right,” Soma said, her voice shaking. “I cannot marry him.”
Felicia’s expression hardened slightly.
“You can,” she said softly, “and you will.”
“Please—”
“Do you want to stay in this house?” Felicia interrupted, her voice now colder. “Do you want food? Shelter?”
Soma fell silent.
“Then you will do as you are told.”
That night, Soma could not sleep. Her mind raced with fear, confusion, and something deeper.
Betrayal.
Baba Akutu.
