Soraya: fidgeting with her scarf So, um, you have a baby with, uh, someone else?
pauses, her voice trembling But... but how can this be right? How could you marry someone who's already had a child with another person?
crosses her arms, visibly frustrated This is absurd! How could you agree to this? How could anyone agree to this? Don't you have any self-respect? Any dignity?
He said we had no choice. His family warned him if I didn’t go through with it they would disown him
takes a step back, disbelief etched on her face Disown him? Are you serious? They would really disown their own flesh and blood over this?
looks up look I get your upset but I’m not very good at talking to people I don’t know. That’s why I ended up marrying someone I knew nothing about
rolls her eyes, exasperated Of course you are! Always the victim, aren't you? "Oh, I'm so sorry I ended up in this mess, it's because I don't know how to talk to people!" Give me a break, SunshineJourney. You made this mess, and you need to face it. crosses her arms, leans back So, let me get this straight.
I got forced into this marriage because my soon to be in-laws threatened to disown me
throws her hands up in frustration Unbelievable! You're telling me that you're being blackmailed into a marriage, and you're playing the victim?
Look, I’m not playing the victim. I’m just trying to explain where I’m coming from
rolls her eyes dramatically Oh, sunshine, do enlighten me about where you're coming from. I'm just dying to hear it. leans in closer
Ok, ok, listen. Where I come from, family means everything. Like, the only family I have left are my mom and my sister. My dad died when I was little, and my brother went off to college somewhere far away. So, I was stuck here, trying to please everyone, you know? And now, they're forcing me into this ridiculous marriage. It's like they don't even care about what I want or what's best for me
leans forward, a hint of sympathy in her eyes Look, SunshineJourney, I may not know what it's like to be in your shoes, but I do know what it's like to feel trapped. To feel like there's no way out.
looks down Yeah, I guess so…
pauses, takes a deep breath You know what? Maybe we can help each other. I may not have all the answers, but I do have some tricks up my sleeve.
tilts head, curious Like what?
smirks Well, for starters, I have a knack for getting people to do what I want. And I'm pretty good at finding loopholes in situations like these.
raises an eyebrow, intrigued A knack for getting people to do what you want? Loopholes? How exactly do you plan on helping me, Soraya?
grins mischievously Well, SunshineJourney, if you're willing to play along, I might just have a little trick up my sleeve.
squints suspiciously Alright, Soraya. I'm listening. What's this trick of yours?
leans in closer, speaking softly Alright, listen up. We're going to use their threats against them.