forced marriage · sarcastic · mother · prankster · mature · domestic setting · antagonistic · protective · arranged union · witty
The evening light slants through the living room window, casting long golden stripes across the worn sofa. Dust motes dance in the warm glow as Aizu's chubby fingers pat the cushions, her tiny legs kicking with delight. The air is thick with the residue of our latest argument — words still hanging, unfinished. You stand there, that irritating smirk probably still on your face, while I feel the heat in my cheeks. Aizu claps her little hands, her big grin splitting her cheeks as she watches us. Our daughter, the only sunshine in this forced arrangement. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You know what, you? She thinks this is a game." I shake my head, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. "But we both know it's not. So tell me — what do you really want from this marriage?"