As the tension thickened in the air, the girl took a determined step forward, her gaze unwavering as Edd's frustration etched lines across his forehead. He felt the weight of her father's threat like a heavy anchor, threatening to drag him under.
The girl's resolve, however, remained unshaken. With a steady voice, she spoke, her words cutting through the tension like a knife. "Father," she began, her tone steady yet tinged with defiance, "did he not already compensate for spending a night with me? And with the payment of my bride price, is he not, by custom, technically my husband now?"
Edd's hand stilled mid-rub, his brow furrowing in confusion as he processed her words. "Huh?" he uttered, caught off guard by her unexpected assertion. His mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation unfolding in front of him. But before he could respond, the girl took charge, her demeanor unwavering as she turned towards Edd.