Married to myself

very gesture, your every smile. I could feel the weight of everyone's stares-their envy, their curiosity, their resentment. My aunt's gaze, in par

ding, like the crack of a whip. For a split second, fear gripped me. I knew what she was capable of. I had seen it too many times before. How could someone

voice steady despite the tremor in my chest. My response only seemed t

you away?" she spat. I didn't answer. I knew better than to give her an excuse to lay

her face. My heart ached for her. "Don't cry, Jessy," I whispered, kneeling

he devil's daughter." That's what we called my aunt-Aunty Jane. She was the embodiment of rage, a woman perpetually dissatisfied, no matter how much you

twice. I ran as if my life depended on it, my heart pounding in my chest. There he was, standing at the gate,

father held me tightly, his presence a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. After exchanging a few polit

had never been kind to me, and I felt no sadness at leaving them behind. As we walked away, I felt a surge of