chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Bitter Sister

“You did what?” Ivy’s voice resounded like an echo through the living room.

Rayna jerked. She wasn't done talking before her elder sister interrupted. Oliver, sitting stiffly on the edge of Rayna's bed, gave Rayna a pitiful glance before slipping away, wisely avoiding the storm brewing.

“I signed it,”Rayna repeated, slower now. “The contract is done. I’m marrying Denzel Adams.”

Ivy’s eyes shone with anger and Jealousy. “You’re barely twenty-six, Rayna, marrying a thirty-four year old Man. You don’t even know what it means to be in marriage, let alone to a man like Denzel! You are so unbelievable and your excuses are invalid”

Rayna held her breath. “It’s just two years. It’s not something real. It’s—”

“Why don't you come up with better excuses, not this rubbish it's not these excuses because your excuses are lame,” Ivy cut in, throwing her hands up in the air. “You think I don’t know what this shit is all about, You’re grabbing at the life that should’ve been mine.”

Rayna blinked. “What rubbish are you talking about?”

“ Oh spare me that, you were always the quiet one. The one who stayed in the background while I carried this family on my back,” Ivy snapped. “But now, out of the blues, it’s you he wants? Oh really !! You, who doesn’t even understand the world he lives in? Or know your left from your right.”

Rayna felt her chest tightened. “This isn’t about wants, Ivy. It’s about needs.

It's business. It’s a lifeline for us, a very big one.”

“No. It’s a charity work Rayna,” Ivy hissed. “You think I don’t see through him? He looked at me first, remember Rayna?. I was the one introduced to him last year at the Adam's Gala by Mom and Dad. I was the one he should’ve chosen.”

Rayna tried not to show how her words had an effect on her. “He was supposed to but he didn’t.”

“That's because you were convenient, you're cheap” Ivy spat. “He knew you’d do whatever it takes to do to sign whatever he hands over to you.”

Rayna’s nails dug into her palms. “Are you for real right now? You think I wanted this huh? I did it because we’re helpless. Because Oliver needed tuition. Because Mom needed care. You were too busy chasing your luxurious Lifestyle to even notice.”

Ivy’s expression changed, just for a second, before hardening again. “You think marrying him will fix anything? Then you must really be joking, You’ll be a shadow beside him. An adornment. You’re not cut out for his world, Rayna. And he’ll chew you up and spit you out. Then when you are free from his shackles, don't come back crying”

“Then let him,” Raynaa said quietly. “But then at least I’ll know I tried, I did something.”

For a moment, silence hung thick between them.

Then Ivy scoffed, folding her arms. “You wish but let me make this clear this isn’t over.”

Rayna didn’t reply. She turned and walked away, her heart pounding in her chest.

Ivy’s words echoed behind her like a curse. “You’re only a shadow behind him , Rayna. One day, he’ll realize it should’ve been me.”

Rayna didn’t look back, but deep down, she knew Ivy was right.

Because if she there was anything she knew about Ivy, it was this:

She never accepted defeat without revenge.

Later that same day, in the evening, after the argument with Ivy, Rayna sat on the floor in her room , staring at her phone; recollecting the event of today.

The weight and burden of everything that has happened in the past two days, the deal with Denzel, her sister’s words lingered in the air, a thought she couldn’t shake off. She was still guilty for the way she spoke to her sister, but there was only one person who would help put her mind at ease, Serena.

She picked up her phone and dialed Serena’s number, Serena has been her closest friend from middle school till date.

Her thumb felt numb, as it hovered over the phone screen.Her line , stretching each second longer than it should seem forever.

Serena was the only person who truly understood the weight of Rayna’s situation, her best friend since middle school, the one person who could make her smile through the hardest times and moments.

Finally, as if it took forever, Serena picked her call. “Hey, Ray”! Her voice broke through the line. How’s everything going? You're ready for tomorrow right?”

Rayna took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves down. Her hands were shaking as she held her phone. She swallowed the lump in her throat before answering. “I signed it, Serena. It’s done.” She said almost in a whisper.

Serena went quiet for a moment trying to process the information. “Wait, hold on, what do you mean? Like you signed it, you signed... the contract? Is that what you're tryna tell me?”

Rayna nodded , even though Serena couldn't see her nodding. “I’m marrying Denzel Adams. It's a two-year agreement. I’ll be his wife for the next two years, at least.”

A long pause from the other end of the line was long enough for Rayna to start questioning her decision. But then Serena spoke again, her voice gentle yet understanding. “Ray, I understand that 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 it's gonna work out? That’s a whole different world you are stepping into, like a whole different world, totally very different from the one you're used to. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

Rayna ran a hand through her hair and exhaled. “It’s not always about what I want, what I am comfortable with Serena. It’s about what we need. Our need. Oliver's tuition f*e, mom’s treatment. Ivy... My sister doesn’t get it. She thinks I’m just doing this to take something away from her, because she likes him. She’s furious.”

Serena’s voice became firmer. “Ivy’s always been like this, like don't you know. Should I remind you the last time you 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 doing what you have to do at the. And as much as I hate to admit it, sometimes life doesn’t allow us to make our choices.”

Rayna wiped her eyes, surprised by the tears that she was already shedding tears. “I know. But it doesn’t make it any easier. The contract’s signed already, and I’m walking into a life that just feels like a cage. I just... I don’t know how to feel anymore.”

Serena’s reply was peaceful, calm and unwavering one. “I need you to know that you are never alone, Ray. No matter what happens, you have 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 family's debt, see Oliver through school. Then do it. I know you’ll make it through as always. Just keep your head up and be careful, okay?”

Rayna closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment of relief. Serena’s words had always had a way of bringing joy and peace in chaos, reminding her of the strength she had forgotten she had “Thanks you, thank you, Serena. I... I really needed to hear that.”

“I’m here for you, always,” Serena said softly. “Tomorrow’s the big day, right?”

Rayna gave a beautiful laugh. “Yeah. I guess it is. Wish me luck?”

“I wish you everything you need, Rayna. You’ll get through this.”

With a calm mind, Rayna hung up the phone, feeling both comforted and a bit relaxed. The road ahead was uncertain, but she knew one thing for sure: the next chapter of her life was already in motion. And no matter how hard she tried to escape it, there was no turning back now.

So she has to brace up and face it.

The earlier, the better.