Shine your light upon me

Chapter II: Horace's plan

Louis turned his back on her as soon as he heard what she had just said. Nieves tried in every possible way to make him understand, and he, who was angry, just pursed his lips and went about his work.

The reconstruction of the house was halted over the next few days. The neighbours knew first-hand that the Moreno family did not have the money to recover their home; Gregoria took advantage of this and convinced her husband to let them live with them in the farmhouse. It was a big house, after all, with four bedrooms, a bathroom and a huge courtyard where, in the future, with Horace's inheritance, they could build a second house for the whole family to live together. Although Rutilia reluctantly accepted her comadre's proposal, deep inside she felt humiliated, having to resort to such an extreme in order to have a roof over her head and food for her children was too much for her.

That afternoon, Gregoria took her wedding dress out of the wardrobe while the men were working, and the women were still organizing everything for the wedding. She helped Nieves put the dress on and watched her, leaning back a little to appreciate it better. She tapped the shoulder of her comadre who was adjusting Antonia's hair, they turned around and were dazzled by the sight of Nieves.

Nieves was dressed in Gregoria's old wedding dress. The dress, despite the years that had passed since her own marriage, was in excellent condition, as if time had stood still to preserve its beauty. It was a white silk dress, with a square neckline and short sleeves trimmed with lace. The skirt cascaded down, covering Nieves' feet softly and elegantly. A band of lace around the waist marked Nieves' figure in a charming way, enhancing her youth and grace.

Gregoria smiled with pride at the sight of Nieves in the dress that had once been hers. It was a symbol of continuity, of passing on the family tradition from one generation to the next. She looked at her with sparkling eyes and said:

"Nieves, you look beautiful. This dress looks wonderful on you."

Rutilia also approached and admired her daughter. Although she had reluctantly agreed to the arranged marriage, she couldn't help but feel excited to see Nieves dressed as a bride, even if the situation was not as she had always imagined.

In Nieves' mind there was only the curious question of how Mrs. Gregoria's prominent body had fit perfectly into that dress, but she decided not to ask, but the woman decided to anticipate the hesitation.

"I may not have your body now, daughter," she said, "but you will understand me when you give birth to your first children," she laughed.

Her eyes widened in surprise. It had never even crossed her mind to have children with Horace... Horace, of all people! The thought of it sent shivers down her spine. Her dream was to marry Louis and then start a family, but now that dream was dashed with every step she took. There was a lump in her throat as she felt Mrs. Gregoria's hands adjusting her dress here and there.

She felt trapped in a situation that seemed beyond her control. As Gregoria continued to fix the wedding dress, thoughts swarmed through Nieves' mind like a swarm of bees. The dress, beautiful but old, was a constant reminder of the life she was about to leave behind and the new one to come. The thought of having children with Horace, someone she barely knew and did not love, filled her with anxiety and fear.

"Mrs. Gregoria, thank you for the dress, it's really beautiful," murmured Nieves, trying to hide her emotions.

Gregoria smiled knowingly at her, unaware of Nieves' inner conflict. The reality of the impending wedding weighed on the young woman's shoulders like a slab. The dress, which should have been a symbol of joy and love, had become a constant reminder of the sacrifices she was making for her family.

As the women continued their preparations, Nieves could not help but feel that her life had taken an unexpected and painful turn. The expectations she had for her future had been replaced by a reality she had not chosen, and she wondered if she would ever find happiness in the midst of this arranged marriage.