Chapter 4: Money, Mercy, and a Woman’s Choice

I glared at her and held out my hand. “Give me all the cash.”

My voice was steady, but my hands shook. Aunt Ruth didn’t argue—she just opened her purse and handed over every bill and check she had. I tucked them away, my resolve hardening with every step.

After counting the bills and checks, I headed straight for Lily’s house.

The walk felt endless, each step echoing my determination. I barely noticed the heat or the stares. All I could think about was Lily, and what I was about to do.

Outside the old duplex, I heard a weak voice inside: “Every day I sit in the sun, I have one less day left. But I sit here in peace. If you sell yourself to cure me, I’ll never rest easy, even after I’m gone.”

The words floated through the window, heavy with sorrow. I pressed my hand to the peeling paint, fighting back tears. It was a private grief, but I couldn’t turn away.

Lily’s voice was sweet as a songbird. “Alright, I won’t sell myself. Carter’s a good man. I’ll borrow the money and pay him back when I can.”

Her hope was fragile, almost childlike. I wanted to shout the truth, to warn her Carter wasn’t who she thought. But I knew she had to find her own way, just like I had.

“Nonsense. That much money doesn’t fall from the sky. He must want something. You can’t go…”

The argument got louder, their pain raw and real. I swallowed hard, my own troubles shrinking next to theirs. I knew what I had to do.

They started to argue. I couldn’t bear it, so I gathered my courage.

My heart hammered as I slipped the envelope through the door. I didn’t wait for thanks, didn’t want to be anyone’s savior. I just wanted to give Lily a fighting chance.

Soon, that slender figure came running out, looking left and right, but saw no one.

She stood in the doorway, eyes wide, scanning the street. I ducked behind a tree, heart pounding. I wanted her to feel the gift was from the world, not from me.

She clutched the envelope, knelt down, and cried out, “Whoever you are, thank you for your kindness. I’ll pay it forward for the rest of my life.”

Her voice trembled, carrying a promise I hoped she’d keep. I wiped a tear from my cheek, overwhelmed by the simple power of gratitude. Sometimes, helping someone is its own reward.

Aunt Ruth tugged at me, anxious. “Honey, why are we hiding? Your mama said we should let her know who helped her!”

She fidgeted with her purse, glancing over her shoulder. I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. Some debts are best left unnamed.

I walked further away. I didn’t want that kind of gratitude.

I needed distance, needed to feel like I’d done something good just because. My feet carried me down the sidewalk, away from Lily’s cries, away from all the expectations.

I told Mom I wanted to go home and break off the engagement with the Ellison family.

My words tumbled out, fueled by a certainty I hadn’t felt in years. I braced for an argument, but Mom just listened, her face unreadable.

“Mom, even if every man cheats, at least some do it out in the open. I won’t waste my life on someone so small.”

I looked her in the eye, daring her to argue. For once, I felt like the grown-up. The relief in her eyes was subtle, but it was there—a quiet pride that I’d finally found my voice.

I was set; she listened closely. In the end, she loved me too much to fight it and nodded. “Alright, we’ll go home and figure it out.”

She squeezed my hand, her grip warm and steady. I knew the road ahead would be hard, but with Mom by my side, I was ready for anything.