CHAPTER 1
LAUREN
“Worthless!”Oren shouts, his rough hands grabbing me before I can duck out of the way. “How long have you been hiding the truth from me? I can smell your stink from here. What good are you if you can’t give me a son?!”
“Please, Oren, I’m sure it will take the next time.”
“I’m done with your excuses Lauren and if your father were alive, I’d kill him for selling me your worthless hide.” There’s no hiding the devil lurking in his eyes and I turn to run. I only take a step before he snatches me by the back of my dress, yanking me down. I barely have time to curl into a ball before he starts kicking me. Wrapping my arms around my head, my mind stills and my thoughts drift back to happier times as I try not to focus on the pain that has become a constant part of my life. He will wear himself out soon and this round of violence will end, only for hell to start in another way, the cycle never ending.
It wasn’t always like this and Oren was charming once. When we first got married, there were smiles and the occasional flowers, but his hands were always cruel and uncaring, couplingsawkward and messy. Thankfully, then and now, they only last for a few moments, but I still hate them all the same.
My courses continued to come even after we had been married a few months, and each time he found out. He would beat me severely to the point that the last time he was forced to call for the doctor. He apologized, swearing it would never happen again, but that’s all they were: W O R D’s. I realized then that he’d bought me for only one reason: to produce a son. Other than that, I was worthless in his eyes, no matter how hard I tried.
Once his true nature was revealed, it didn’t take me long to learn not to talk back or ask questions. As time passed, I learned to stay quiet and keep my head down. At first, I prayed for a baby just so I’d have someone of my own to love. But when I realized what type of situation I’d be bringing that child into, especially if it was a girl, made me turn to natural herbs to keep his seed from taking root.
Caught up in my own thoughts as I was pulling my stockings up over the bruises on my legs, I didn’t notice the red stain on the front of my pantaloons until he walked in the door unexpectedly. When his eyes flared and I saw that tick in his jaw, I looked down, instantly knowing it was going to be bad. Especially since my face and shins still hold the proof of his disapproval over last night’s meal. It’s become rare for me to look in a mirror and not see the evidence of his constant disapproval in the form of a new bruise. When he grabbed me by the back of the head, screaming in my face it took me a moment to hear his words, and when I didn’t move quick enough, he threw me into the wall, smashing my face against the rough wood, and I felt my lip burst, blood filling my mouth, as everything became blurry.
The next thing I know, he’s dragging me out of the house by my hair. I clutch my tortured ribs as I stumble along behind him.Before I realize what he’s doing, he throws me to the ground in front of a crowd of men standing on the porch of the saloon. “Auctioneer, add her to the list of things someone’s trying to get rid of.”
“Oren, this is highly irregular. We may need to ask the marshal whether this is even legal. But if it is, I see no harm in proceeding if you’re willing to pay the fees for us to hold a special WIFE SALE?”
“Call him over if you need to, but we all know who he’ll side with. We play cards together every Saturday night and have become quite good friends in the process. Consider your fee paid and get on with it. I need to recoup some of the money I’ve spent on her worthless hide these last few years.”
“What are your grievances against her?”
“Her womb is dead, she’s lazy, and I hate the sound of her voice. She was sold to me under the false pretenses of being youthful and willing. Instead, she’s as cold as a corpse laying under a man; no wonder my seed ain’t taking. There’s no reserve, so take any offer given and let the next man deal with her. If she doesn’t sell, toss her out on the streets. She can survive on her back, if need be, but she’ll not set foot in my home again. I declare in front of all these witnesses that I am adivorced man! Send any funds collected to my solicitor.” I watch with tear-filled eyes as he starts to walk off, only for the auctioneer to yell out…
“What of her personal effects?”
“She owns only what’s on her back and that’s a gift!”
Swaying on my feet, I stand here hollow and humiliated as blood runs down my chin. I jerk when I feel someone touch my arm, only to scream out in pain when I’m yanked up onto the back of awagon. I’m relieved to see the marshal approach until I hear his words.
“What’s all this commotion about, Lieber?”
“Marshal Reeves, I’ve acquired the help of Auctioneer Barlowe. I was sold something defective and have decided this is the best way to recoup the money I’ve lost. I announced my divorce in front of all these witnesses and with your permission would like to proceed.”
“You’ll have to make it official with the church, Lieber.”
“I’ll inform the clergy that my weekly donations will stop if they don’t approve it.”
“So be it … Barlowe, I expect you to ensure all paperwork is completed and to keep this crowd under control. I don’t agree with it, but she’s yours to do with as you please.”
I watch in horror as the Marshal turns and walks away, only to jerk when the auctioneer starts screaming next to me.
“ATTENTION! All single men in the area, step on up! We have an added item up for grabs. This little doll here might be in rough shape, but youth will have her healed up in no time. She seems to be built strong, her hair’s pleasing to the eye, and she’s shapely enough.” He leans down, whispering in my ear. “Child, do you have any family?” I shake my head no. “Also, she’s newly divorced with no family to speak for her. This makes her quite the bargain!”
I knew Oren was angry, but I never dreamed he would do something like this. Glancing up, I’m horrified to see the crowd growing around Oren and me standing off to the side, a cruel smirk on his face. Looking back down, my eyes never leave theground, even when the voices gather closer, their words only bringing more tears as different ones scream out.
“Show us the goods! … I don’t want someone else’s cast-offs, even if it is a warm hole to poke … She isn’t going to be good to anyone in that shape, just another mouth to feed … Why’s he selling her? … Look at those tits, lower her down, let us get a closer look!” Once my breasts are mentioned, the comments just get more vulgar, and I’ve never felt so helpless or worthless in my life.
The bidding starts when someone yells out a penny, and laughter fills the air. Locking my knees together, I force myself to stand there even though my insides are shaking so badly I feel like my brain is rattling inside my skull. Then a deep voice drowns out all the others.
“Twenty dollars!”
I hear a gasp before the place gets eerily quiet. The auctioneer actually stutters.
“Do I hear any other bids?”
