Chapter 2: The Wedding Night Promise

She kept her head down, too shy to speak, nibbling her grilled cheese. She didn't even touch the mashed potatoes. I couldn't blame her.

The plate in front of her barely moved, except for tiny bites she took with trembling hands. She avoided everyone’s gaze, her hair falling like a curtain. The noise and laughter seemed to make her shrink even smaller.

I wanted to help her get some food, but didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, so I just used her fork to scoop some onto her plate.

I hesitated, then gently nudged the mashed potatoes closer, using her fork so she wouldn’t feel like I was invading her space. I tried to smile, hoping to reassure her, but she only glanced up for a second before looking away.

Trevor grinned and said, "She’s so tiny—why not call her Bella?"

He said it with a laugh, nudging his wife, and the rest of the family picked up on it, repeating the name until it stuck. Someone made a joke about Beauty and the Beast, and the tension in the room eased, just a little.

Everyone laughed and agreed. And that was how I met Bella.

It felt weird, like we were naming a stray, but she smiled shyly when she heard it. I caught her eye for a split second, and she nodded, almost grateful for the kindness.

My cousin, Derek, didn’t look too happy. He drank a little too much, staring at Bella’s chest now and then. Finally, he slurred, "Why didn’t you bring her to my place, huh? I’m single too."

The laughter died down quick. Derek’s words hung in the air, heavy and sour. He swirled his whiskey, eyes glazed, and everyone tried to ignore him, but it was impossible not to notice.

The mood soured fast. You could feel it—like a cold wind blowing through the room.

The room went silent, forks pausing mid-air. Mom shot Derek a look that could kill, and Dad cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. The clock on the wall ticked loudly in the quiet.

Derek used to be married, but he spent too much time chasing women at the local strip club, and his wife left with their kid. He picked up something nasty, so now even the girls at the club wouldn’t go near him.

Everyone in town knew Derek’s story. He was the cautionary tale—good looks gone to waste, a marriage blown apart by bad habits. The mention of the strip club made a couple of the aunts mutter under their breath, and Uncle Mike just shook his head.

Uncle Mike nudged him hard. "Knock it off. Be happy for your cousin, for once."

Mike’s voice was gruff, but there was an edge to it. He glared at Derek, daring him to say another word. Derek just slouched lower in his seat, scowling at his drink.

Derek grumbled, "Why should I? He’s got money saved, he’s healthy—he’ll find someone. What about me? Girls run when they see me."

He sounded more bitter than angry, his words slurring together. He looked around the table, daring someone to argue. Nobody did.

Dad looked embarrassed, then said, "You’ll find someone. It’s late—let’s get the newlyweds to their room."

Dad stood up, trying to salvage the night. He clapped me on the shoulder and gave Bella an awkward smile. "Let’s give them some space," he said, and everyone started clearing plates, pretending not to notice Derek’s glare.

Pushed by my relatives, I got up and led Bella to my room. Derek glared at her, then suddenly reached out and pinched her thigh.

The hallway was crowded, everyone jostling to say goodnight. As I guided Bella past, Derek reached out, his hand quick and mean. Bella flinched, her whole body tensing. My stomach twisted with anger.

Bella jumped, terrified, but Derek just snickered, "Just messing with the newlyweds."

He laughed, but it wasn’t funny. The rest of the family looked away, pretending not to see. Bella’s eyes filled with fear, and I wanted to punch Derek right then and there.

Uncle Mike snapped, slapping Derek on the back of the head. "You’re out of line!"

The smack echoed down the hallway, and Derek scowled, rubbing his head. Uncle Mike gave me a nod, silently telling me to keep Bella safe. I led her into my room, closing the door behind us.

Back in my room, Mom had already changed the sheets to bright red, like it was prom night or something. Bella sat on the bed, clutching the comforter, trembling.

The room smelled faintly of detergent and new linens. Mom had left a little bowl of candy on the nightstand, like I was still a kid. Bella sat on the edge of the bed, her knuckles white, her eyes darting around the unfamiliar space. Was this really happening?

Was I taking advantage of her? The thought gnawed at me.

She’d risked her life just for a hot meal.

I thought about her swimming the river, fighting a dog for scraps, and felt a lump in my throat. She shouldn’t have to be here, scared and alone, but I didn’t know how to make it better.

But I couldn’t help myself.

My heart ached, torn between guilt and longing. I wanted to comfort her, to make her feel safe, but I was just as lost as she was.

I wrapped my arms around Bella. She didn’t resist, but she was shaking.

I moved slowly, letting her see what I was doing. When I finally put my arms around her, she tensed, then relaxed, just a little. Her body was so light, so fragile, it felt like holding a bird.

I whispered, "Don’t be scared. I’m not gonna do anything. I’ve never even hugged a girl before—just let me hold you a while."

My voice cracked, honesty spilling out. I wanted her to know she was safe, that I wasn’t like Derek or anyone else who’d hurt her. I stroked her hair, trying to calm her trembling.

She didn’t understand, just lay in my arms, her eyes wet, tears welling up. She tilted her head back, waiting for a kiss.

Her eyes searched mine, uncertain but trusting. She looked so vulnerable, it broke my heart. I brushed a tear from her cheek, my own eyes stinging.

I didn’t kiss her lips. I just held her, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.

She smelled faintly of soap and rain, something soft and clean. I pressed my cheek to her head, letting the warmth seep into me. The world outside faded away, just the two of us in that small, quiet room.

Girls really are soft and smell like heaven.

I’d heard guys say it before, but I never understood until now. She was warm and delicate, and I wanted the moment to last forever. My heart thudded so loud I was sure she could hear it.

I held Bella, soaking up her warmth. She cried at first, but after a while, when she saw I wasn’t doing anything else, she peeked up at me with those big, bright eyes.

Her tears slowed, and she shifted in my arms, curiosity flickering in her gaze. I smiled, trying to reassure her, and she gave me a tiny, hesitant smile in return.

My wedding night was just an embrace—so soft, so sweet.

We lay there, not speaking, just breathing together. The house was quiet, everyone else asleep. I closed my eyes, memorizing the feel of her in my arms.

Girls really are amazing—even just holding one is enough to make you dizzy with happiness.

I never thought something so simple could make me feel so alive. I wanted to freeze time, to hold onto this feeling forever.

I couldn’t stop my heart from pounding. My body trembled with nerves. I loved every second. I felt like I could die happy.

My hands shook, but I didn’t care. For once, I felt like I belonged, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I didn’t want to let go.

The next morning, my parents asked how it went. Too embarrassed to say nothing happened, I just said it was good.

Mom winked, and Dad clapped me on the back, both of them grinning like fools. I felt my face go red, but I just nodded, pretending to be cool about it.

They encouraged me to have a baby soon. Once Bella became a mom, they said, she’d feel like this was really home. I tried to laugh it off, but the pressure made me squirm.

Mom started talking about baby names, already planning for grandkids. Dad said something about family roots and making a home, his voice softer than usual. It felt like they were trying to build a future for us, even if everything else was uncertain.

From then on, everyone in town knew I had a wife.

Word spread fast—Mrs. Thompson at the grocery store asked about Bella, and the guys at the gas station gave me a thumbs-up. Some folks were curious, others just nodded, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

But Bella wouldn't say a word—she was terrified of getting found out and sent back. So we just told folks she was mute.