To help my younger sister avoid marrying an unloved man, I put on the wedding dress and went to the mullah in her place. Any second, the switch could be noticed—and then I wouldn’t get off lightly!
But the indifferent groom didn’t even look under my veil during the ceremony. Retribution for the deception came later, on the marital bed…
“Who are you?!” my husband screams when he sees my white hair. “What kind of spoiled goods did I get?!”
“I’m not goods,” I answer softly but proudly. “I’m Darina. Your wife.”
“I married Zarina. Where is she?!”
“There is no Zarina. But I’m ready… instead of her, I’m her sister. Don’t drive me away! I will do everything you want!”
“Well then… you’ll pay for the deception every day. In bed,” Aslan breathes through his teeth as he approaches me. His gaze burns straight through me, making me shrink.
“Take off these damn rags! Right now!”