Chapter 158: Vanessa Ward Sat Rigidly on the Tractor

Vanessa Ward sat rigidly on the tractor, her fingers digging into the hem of her dress. The women around her—aunts and cousins who had come to see her off—chattered and laughed, oblivious to her ashen expression.

"Vanessa, it's good that your family put the groom in his place!" Aunt Wang leaned in with a grin. "That way, he'll know his place when you're married."

"Exactly! Look how obedient Derek is—he does whatever he's told," Ernie Lee giggled behind her hand.

Vanessa's chest heaved. Obedient? More like spineless! The way her husband had groveled before Elena was downright humiliating.

The tractor rumbled into the Harris family's village, the deafening crackle of firecrackers drowning out all other sounds. As she was helped down, Vanessa nearly stumbled, her eyes burning holes into Derek's back.

The bridal chamber, at least, looked presentable—white walls, red-framed windows, and a towering stack of brand-new quilts. Mechanically, Vanessa went through the wedding rituals before retreating inside with a few thin gift envelopes in hand.

"I'm dead tired!" Derek collapsed onto the heated brick bed like a sack of potatoes the moment he entered.

Vanessa finally snapped. "The way you acted back at The Wards'—"

Before she could finish, Derek lunged up and slapped her across the face.

"You worthless bitch! Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life!" He yanked her collar, snarling. "You're the only bride in the whole damn village without a dowry! You've made me a laughingstock!"

Her vision swam, her cheek burning. In a flash of fury, she raked her nails down his neck.

Derek howled as she kicked him off the heated brick bed. They tumbled to the floor in a vicious tangle—his fists like iron, battering her until she could barely breathe. If Old Man Harris hadn't shouted from outside, she might have blacked out.

"Just you wait! I'll finish you off when I get back!" Derek spat before storming out, slamming the door behind him.

Vanessa lay sprawled on the heated brick bed, blood trickling from her split lip. She stared at the ceiling, tears streaming uncontrollably. This is all Elena's fault! If it weren't for that—

Raucous laughter drifted in from outside. Wiping her face, Vanessa forced herself to straighten her clothes. She practiced a smile in the mirror until it looked convincing.

"The bride's coming out for the toast!"

Vanessa minced over to Derek's side, demurely accepting a glass of liquor. The men's rowdy cheers made her ears burn.

"Derek's a lucky man!"

"What a pretty wife!"

Derek smugly wrapped an arm around her waist, his grip painfully tight. Vanessa smiled through gritted teeth, downing glass after glass.

Late that night, Derek drunkenly pinned her down. She endured in silence, her nails biting into her palms. The pale moonlight through the window glinted off the bruises already darkening her arms.

That night, Vanessa realized one thing—her happy ending would never come.