“I promise,” she began, then paused, struggling for breath. Finally she said, “to try.”
The pastor pronounced them husband and wife. Applause rose through the church—some polite, some amused.
Outside, the celebration began under tents in an open field. Music played. Food was served. Villagers clustered in groups, discussing the wedding.
At the head table, Catherine sat stiffly beside Moses, unable to eat. She heard one whisper clearly as people passed:
“Beauty and the beast.”
Moses heard it too. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
By evening, it was time to leave.
Beatice embraced her briefly, all performance and no warmth.
“Be a good wife,” she said.
Joseph shook Moses’s hand. “Take care of her.”
“I will,” Moses replied.
Then Catherine climbed into the waiting car. As it pulled away from the village, she looked back one last time at the dusty houses, the market road, the banana trees moving in the wind.
Everything she had known slowly disappeared behind her.
At first, the journey passed in silence. Then Catherine noticed something strange.
They were not driving deeper into the countryside. The road widened. Mud houses gave way to paved streets, lights, larger buildings.
They were approaching town.
“Do you live here?” she asked.
“Yes.”
A few minutes later, the car turned through tall gates guarded by uniformed security men. Catherine stared in disbelief as they drove up a long driveway lined with trimmed hedges and palm trees.
At the center stood a large modern house with wide windows, polished stone, and glowing lights.
The car stopped.
Catherine stepped out slowly, struggling to understand what she was seeing.
“This is your house?”
“Yes.”
Inside, the floors were marble. The furniture was elegant. Fresh flowers scented the air. A woman in a neat uniform came to greet them.
“Good evening, sir,” she said warmly. “Dinner is ready.”
Catherine looked from the woman to Moses.
“You have staff?”
“A few people help manage the house.”
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