One Choice Read Online Free PDF

of the act.
    How could a loving God let her parents die in such a way, leaving her alone to fend for herself?
    She sighed and blinked hard against the tears. Maybe she should have obeyed them without protest by going to the United States to live with her uncle, but this land, this life, was all she had known. Despite the stares she received because of her appearance or the circumstances surrounding their deaths, she didn’t want to leave. It was her home.
    It could be worse. She could be going through this process by herself, without Anaya's assistance. The prince could be mean and hateful instead of someone who loved God. Her parents could still be alive, and she'd have to leave them. But, of course, if they were still alive, she would be living with her uncle in the United States and away from Belikara. She had a lot to be thankful for.
    She eased the blue foil wrapping off the gift and lifted the lid of the box. Inside she found a teal outfit with intricate white embroidery. The color would complement her skin tone and hair color. It would also make her eyes look greener. The person who picked this out either knew her coloring or had made a lucky guess. She refolded the clothes and placed them back in the box. She didn't know what they were for, but for now they could stay there. She took the box and the letter to her room and grabbed her dirty laundry from the hamper, where she’d thrown it last night.
    As she walked back into the apartment from the basement laundry, Anaya met her. “We'll begin here in the living room. Keep what you cannot live without. You should prepare three groups of boxes: one for things you would like to keep, one for things you will need every day, and one for things to donate.” She paused when one of the guards came in carrying two more bags. “You will have two boxes you can take with you for things you will need every day. The rest of your belongings must be divided between the other two. Choose with care. The boxes of items you would like to keep will be put in storage until your final destination is known. Let’s begin.”
    â€œWait! You mean I get two small boxes for my clothes and other necessary items?” Cahri’s gaze roamed the room, separating everything in her mind. These small boxes wouldn’t hold much. How would she ever fit all her stuff in them? And what about her hats?
    â€œAll your clothing needs will be provided for you, except undergarments. You will wear your gift when you leave here on Friday. The remainder of your clothing will be donated.”
    â€œBut I like my clothes. I don't want to donate them all.” Her voice sounded petulant, but she couldn't help herself. She sank onto the sofa and dropped her head into her hands. Pack away all her belongings in boxes. Get rid of her clothes. Possible marriage.
    Marriage .
    In the last twelve hours, everything in her life had changed. This was worse than when her parents had died, which had been horrible. She’d been notified of their deaths and then a few days later told of her need to move from the only home she could remember living in.
    Had it not been for her friend, Emily, and others at the mission, she would have been forced to marry then or leave the country. The traditions about young, single women living alone didn’t apply to her, in her opinion, but many of the men in her church hadn’t agreed. With a little help, she had overcome their concerns for her safety, and how it would look to others who didn’t believe. She reassured them she would not be acting in an unchristian manner.
    Although she could speak many of the surrounding languages, her family had always spoken English in their home. Her parents had allowed her to wear modest western clothing, and she'd worn her hair up, tucked under a hat out of respect for her mother’s upbringing about keeping her head covered.
    Anaya walked over and sat down beside her. She patted Cahri’s arm a moment