Every morning before sunrise, she swept the compound, fetched water, cooked, and then walked to the market to sell vegetables. Every coin she earned went straight into her aunt’s hands. If she came back with less money, she was insulted—or worse.
Still, Winfred remained kind.
At the market, she shared food with hungry children. She helped elderly vendors without asking for anything in return. Mama Bungi, an old woman who sold roasted maize, often told her, “Your heart is too good for this world.”
Winfred never thought much of it. Kindness was simply how she survived.
But everything changed the night she overheard a conversation.
Inside the house, her aunt spoke in a low voice:
“There is a man willing to pay.”
Winfred froze when she heard her name.
“The girl is our only asset now.”
Her future had already been decided.
The next day, her worst fear became real.
Patrick Mugisha, a powerful moneylender, sat in their compound. He looked at Winfred like she was something to be evaluated.
“She looks healthy enough,” he said.
Her aunt smiled coldly.
“You are getting married.”
Winfred’s chest tightened. “To who?”
Patrick answered calmly.
“Kato Biruhanga.”
The drunk.
Winfred shook her head. “No… please.”
But the decision was already made.
“You live here for free,” her aunt snapped. “It’s time you repay us.”
That evening, Winfred met Kato on the road.
He walked unsteadily, bottle in hand, just like everyone said. But when he spoke, his voice was calm.
“You are Winfred,” he said.
She nodded.
“They told you,” he added.
“Yes.”
Then she said what everyone thought.
“You are always drunk.”
Kato gave a faint smile.
“That’s what people believe.”
For a brief moment, his eyes looked sharp—nothing like a drunk’s.
“I don’t want this marriage,” she said.
“I know,” he replied.
“Then why did you agree?”
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