Chapter 90. Plead

"Priya!" Mary hurried into the room, her footsteps echoing with haste, and glanced at the kids and Priya gathered together.

"Mother," Priya stood up, walking towards her, eager to know if everything had gone well.

Mary sadly smiled as she hugged Priya, her thoughts filled with remorse. 'I'm sorry, Priya. I never wanted this, but please forgive me someday. I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive myself, but I hope you can.'

Her heart ached as she embraced Priya, knowing that what she was doing was no less than a sin. Yet, it was a choice she made to protect Priya from a fate even worse.

‘It's a marriage. Priyank is rich,’ Mary tried to rationalise her decision, knowing deep down it wasn't entirely right. But for Priya, he wasn't half bad; at least he'd be well-off.

"What's wrong, Mother? Why do you seem so sad?" Priya asked, squeezing Mary tightly in her arms.

"Yeah, why are you sad?" the other kids chimed in, their concern evident.

"I'm