Submitting To My Co-wife's Brothers

Margaret Mathias.

My heart was full of joy. I walked towards the aisle. I could feel my heart pounding so fast as I walked towards Joshua. He had a broad smile across his face as I took every step with precision.

In minutes, I was inches away from him, his first wife standing beside him, having a broad smile on her face, no envy or pain in her eyes, just happiness. I felt at ease, then Debra, who's my chief bridesmaid, whispered in my ear, "You are definitely lucky to have a less competitive first wife and a rich husband; you will definitely enjoy your new home." She whispered, making me feel another wave of happiness.

I am Margaret, finding myself from a poor background. I won't say we hardly eat, but we can't afford all the luxuries of life. So when I met Joshua, he provided all my needs and even went ahead to buy me a new car, an expensive house, and the things I have always craved for all my life, but he didn't hide the fact that he already has a wife and he wanted me to be his second wife. I couldn't care less to compete with another woman, because all the men I have met are either broke or struggling, and I can't handle finding myself a new home where I'll suffer like the way my mother did; I want a better life for myself.

The day Joshua asked for my hand in marriage, I immediately said yes in excitement. It was the happiest day of my life, and to my greatest surprise, the first wife was so welcoming, which made me feel even happier that I won't face many problems when I eventually get married to Joshua.

I let out a deep breath; I could feel my heart increase its pace when the marriage officiator asked, "Do you take Margaret to be your lovely wedded wife, in sickness or in health, in good times or in bad times, until death do you part?"

He smiled, wrapping his hand around mine, his gaze full of emotions as he answered, "Yes, I do."

I was asked the same, and I hastily answered, "I do."

"You may now kiss the bride."

He leaned closer to my lips, lifted up my veil as he sealed his lips to mine, and then he whispered something that didn't mean much to me but definitely mattered now. "Welcome to my home."

"Margaret, it's already eight in the morning, and you are still sleeping? You should have been awake since five in the morning." The voice of Joshua's first wife thundered, jolting me awake. I was immediately startled as I opened my eyes, recalling the dream I just had, or should I say a beautiful memory that has now turned to fantasy?

I begrudgingly sat on the bed, then I felt a tight slap across my cheeks, which made me open my eyes wide in shock. "Don't make me repeat myself; go and start cleaning the house immediately."

My eyes were already glossy with tears as I stood up, walked towards the kitchen, and sniffled a breath as I started washing the dishes. When I was done, I swept the house, dusted the couch, prepared breakfast, and went to fetch water at a far distance, filling the toilets, because the water bills refused to be paid.

When I was done, I was already exhausted. I was trying not to cry because I knew that even though we don't have much in my family, I never had to work as much as I'm working here.

I went to the kitchen and served myself some food because I was famished. Jennifer walked in, briefly glancing at the kitchen, "The backyard is full of weeds; you are yet to weed those grasses."

"Please, I'm already exhausted. I'll do that tomorrow; let me finish eating first."

"Did you just respond back to me?" Before I could understand the whole ordeal, she leaped forward as she slapped me hard three times across my face, making it turn bruised red. The tears I have been holding back finally find their way down my cheeks. I can't retaliate because I know she would beat me up, black and blue, and I'll be at the losing end.

With a deep breath, I placed the plate of food on the table and rushed out of the kitchen in search of Joshua. Luckily, he had just arrived from work. I immediately went to hug him. I was still crying as I reported the incident to him.

"I can't take it anymore. Your wife doesn't do anything in the house. I'm now like a maid in my husband's house. Please do something."

He turned to look at me and said coldly, with no ounce of emotion in his voice, "She's the queen of the house, so you have to follow her every instruction."

I opened my mouth wide in shock. "This is not how you were; these were not the promises you made to me after marriage."

He leaned beside my ears and whispered, "I never promised you an extravagant life after marriage; you were tempted by money and luxury, right? Now deal with whatever outcome you face in the process."