: The Bit

ce resounded like an echo

ted. Oliver, sitting stiffly on the edge of Rayna's bed, gave Rayna a

slower now. "The contract is d

g a thirty-four year old Man. You don't even know what it means to be in marriage,

t's just two years. It's

se your excuses are lame," Ivy cut in, throwing her hands up in the air. "You think I don

hat rubbish are y

arried this family on my back," Ivy snapped. "But now, out of the blues, it's you he wants? Oh re

ened. "This isn't about wa

s a lifeline for u

im? He looked at me first, remember Rayna?. I was the one introduced to him l

words had an effect on her. "H

ap" Ivy spat. "He knew you'd do whatever it tak

this huh? I did it because we're helpless. Because Oliver needed tuition. Because

Then you must really be joking, You'll be a shadow beside him. An adornment. You're not cut out for his world,

ietly. "But then at least I'll

ilence hung thi

arms. "You wish but let me mak

rned and walked away, her

"You're only a shadow behind him , Rayna.

ck, but deep down, s

as anything she knew a

pted defeat wi

ent with Ivy, Rayna sat on the floor in her room , s

sister's words lingered in the air, a thought she couldn't shake off. She was still guilty for the w

ena's number, Serena has been her clos

e phone screen.Her line , stretching each

na's situation, her best friend since middle school, the one pers

l. "Hey, Ray"! Her voice broke through the line. How'

haking as she held her phone. She swallowed the lump in her throat before

ion. "Wait, hold on, what do you mean? Like you signed it, yo

ing. "I'm marrying Denzel Adams. It's a two-year agreem

hat you're going through tough times, but I trust you, your judgment and your decision. You've always been a strong lady. But... are you sure about this? I mean, Denzel Adams, are you sure i

Serena. It's about what we need. Our need. Oliver's tuition fee, mom's treatment. Ivy... My sister doesn't g

won that award I. High school. She's bitter, Ray. But this is about you now, not her. I know it's hard, but you're do

now. But it doesn't make it any easier. The contract's signed already, and I'm walking

me and i got your back. Remember that you've always had me. And if this is what it takes to put your family's pieces together, clear your

had a way of bringing joy and peace in chaos, reminding her of the strength she had

" Serena said softly. "Tom

laugh. "Yeah. I guess

g you need, Rayna. Yo

d ahead was uncertain, but she knew one thing for sure: the next chapter of her life was alr

to brace up

ier, the