Chapter 3 — A Marriage I Never Wanted

The news of Linda’s marriage came like thunder in Sofia’s life.
She couldn’t believe her mother had said yes to Tony Parker.
Only a few months had passed since they met, and now Linda was ready to marry him.
Sofia felt helpless. She had already tried to warn her mother, but nothing worked.

Linda was full of excitement. She told her daughter, “Sofia, Tony is good. He loves me. I feel young again.”
Sofia’s voice trembled. “Mom, please listen. This man is not right. He says the right words, but something is wrong with him.”
Linda turned away. “You are overthinking. You don’t want to see me happy.”
“Mom,” Sofia whispered, “I only want to see you safe.”

But Linda didn’t want to hear anything more. She had waited many years to feel loved again. She didn’t care about fear or logic anymore. She said softly, “You’re still young, Sofia. One day you’ll understand what loneliness feels like.”

A few days later, Linda and Tony got married in a small ceremony.
Only a few people were invited. Tony smiled and held Linda’s hand tightly.
He told everyone, “She is my angel.”
Linda looked happy. Sofia stood beside her, pretending to smile, but her heart felt heavy.

That night, when they returned home, Tony looked around as if he owned the place already.
He said loudly, “This house needs a man’s touch.”
Linda laughed nervously. Sofia stayed silent.
In her heart, she felt the start of something dark.

Days turned into weeks. Tony began to show his real face.
He was kind in front of people, but cold when they were alone.
He told Linda how to dress, when to sleep, and where to go.
When she spoke too long on the phone, he shouted.
Sofia watched everything quietly, her anger locked inside.

One evening, Tony raised his voice. “I’m the man of this house. You’ll do what I say!”
Linda lowered her head. “Please, Tony, don’t shout.”
He looked at Sofia and said, “You see, your mother doesn’t respect me.”
Sofia replied calmly, “Respect is not something you can force.”
Tony’s eyes turned sharp. “Watch your tone, girl.”

Later that night, Sofia cried alone in her room. She wished she could take her mother away from that man.
She remembered the days when her mother laughed freely, without fear.
Now, Linda’s smile looked like a mask.

The next morning, Sofia tried to talk to her mother again.
“Mom, you deserve peace, not pain,” she said.
Linda’s eyes filled with tears. “You think I don’t see it? I know he’s changing, but I can’t leave now. Everyone will laugh at me again.”
Sofia hugged her tightly. “Let them laugh. I’ll never let you face this alone.”
But Linda didn’t answer. She looked lost.

Tony’s control kept growing. He checked Linda’s phone.
He told her what friends she could talk to.
Sometimes he even insulted her in front of Sofia.
Sofia wanted to fight back, but her mother stopped her. “Please don’t make it worse,” Linda said quietly.

Tony started acting strange around Sofia too.
He brought her gifts she never asked for.
Perfume, books, and once even a new phone.
She refused them, saying, “I don’t need anything.”
But he smiled and said, “Take it, you’re like my daughter.”
The way he said it made her feel uncomfortable.

One evening, when Linda went to the kitchen, Tony whispered to Sofia, “You are too beautiful to stay single forever.”
Sofia froze. Her heart beat fast. She didn’t reply.
When her mother returned, Tony changed his face again and said cheerfully, “Dinner smells great, sweetheart.”

That night, Sofia couldn’t sleep. She stared at the wall, full of fear and confusion.
She didn’t know how to tell her mother what had happened.
Her mother already thought she was jealous.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered, “Please, God, protect us.”

The next day, she tried to keep distance from Tony.
She left early for work and came home late.
But Tony noticed it. “You don’t like me, do you?” he asked.
Sofia replied carefully, “You are my mother’s husband. That’s all that matters.”
Tony smiled coldly. “Good answer.”

Linda still didn’t see the danger. She thought Tony was just strict.
She told Sofia, “Every man has flaws. But he loves me.”
Sofia said quietly, “Love doesn’t hurt, Mom. Remember that.”

The house that once had laughter now had silence.
Sofia’s fear grew each day, and her mother’s hope died a little more.
Something inside both of them was breaking, but neither could say it aloud.
And Sofia didn’t know that the worst was still waiting for her.