My Marriage, My Say

Gripping the crumpled premarital medical report between my fingers, I fixed my gaze on the bright red seal in the bottom right corner, my stomach churning. The crooked words "low-grade sow" stabbed into my eyes like rusty needles. This is the seventh time. Every time I get the report, it's been messed with by Henry Lynn's so-called 'female friend' Melody Scott. My phone screen lights up, and at the top of my social feed is Melody's latest post. The picture she posted is my premarital medical report, captioned: "Henry's little darling, certified clean." The comment section had already exploded. "Haha, this seal is brilliant, Melody—you really know how to play." "Nicole Shaw passed Melody's test? So she's officially part of our circle now?" "Low-grade sow? That's a bit harsh, but honestly, kind of fitting." A flood of sarcastic remarks washed over me like dirty water, my fingers gripping the phone turning white. The door clicked open and Henry Lynn walked in, carrying a basket of strawberries I loved. "Nicole, did you get the report?" His tone was casual; his eyes skimmed over my pale face, not taking it seriously. I slammed the report down on the table with a 'pop', pointing at the bright red seal, "This must be Melody Scott again, right?" Henry Lynn glanced at the report, his face showing not a trace of emotion. "Melody's just messing around." He took my hand and handed me a strawberry. "She wants you to fit into our circle faster. This is a test." "A test?" I pulled my hand back sharply, my voice trembling. "The seventh test already? And it's this kind of insulting way?" "What insult?" Henry Lynn frowned, a trace of impatience in his tone, "We're all friends here, just kidding around." "Would a friend really stamp 'low-grade sow' on someone else's premarital medical report?" I stepped forward, locking eyes with him. "Would a friend send something like this around the social circle for everyone to mock? Henry Lynn, look me in the eye and tell me—is this a joke?" I was searching his eyes for even the slightest flicker of guilt. There was none. Absolutely nothing. Instead, he sighed, his tone laced with condescending generosity: "Nicole, why are you so petty? Melody already told me, once this is over, she'll accept you as my wife." "I don't need her approval." I spoke each word deliberately, every syllable squeezed out like it was caught between my teeth. Henry Lynn's face darkened instantly: "Nicole Shaw, don't be ungrateful. Our families' marriage alliance is just one step away, what are you making a fuss about?" Marriage alliance. Those two words were like a bucket of ice water poured over me from head to toe, snuffing out the last flicker of hope inside me. I gave a bitter smile: "Henry Lynn, do you really think there's any point in carrying on with a marriage like this?"