Chapter 21: A Commitment That Hurts More Than It Loves

Chapter 21: A Commitment That Hurts More Than It Loves
The next morning dawned under a leaden sky, a sign of a storm that would be more than just weather. Sarai woke up with a knot in her stomach. The clock read 6:27 a.m., and she still hadn’t managed to sleep properly. Ever since David confessed that his family was against the marriage, a heavy weight had settled on her chest.

She knew her mother was getting worse. Doctor visits were becoming more frequent—and more expensive—and though she didn’t want to worry her with details about the contract or the fake engagement with David, she knew she would soon have to explain everything… or marry before it was too late.

Her phone vibrated.

It was a message from David.

"The storm is coming from the inside, not outside. Can you sneak away for a few hours this afternoon? There’s something I need to give you."

Sarai pressed her lips together, thinking that if things kept going this way, everything would spiral out of control. Still, her heart couldn’t resist. The idea of seeing him, hearing his voice, grasping even a sliver of clarity in the midst of so much chaos, was too tempting.

At exactly three o’clock, David picked her up in his car. She didn’t even have time to fix her hair properly, and her blouse still had a wrinkle she hadn’t managed to iron out—but he looked at her as if she were the only thing shining in his world.

—Where are we going? —she asked, settling into the passenger seat.

—It’s a surprise —he replied, with that half-smile that she found disturbingly calming.

They drove in silence for a long while until they arrived at an old house on the outskirts of the city. It was huge, colonial-style, with giant windows and well-kept gardens.

—Where are we? —Sarai asked, stepping out of the car, unsure.

—I grew up here —David replied, looking at the house with nostalgia—. Well, part of my childhood. It’s a property no one visits anymore… and where no one will come to bother us.

They went inside. The interior was spacious, silent, covered in years of dust, but it was clear that some careful hand still kept it dignified. They climbed a staircase, and David led her to a room dimly lit by the pale light filtering through an old window.

—Sarai —he said at last—, I know this all seems crazy. My family, your situation, the contract… But before we go any further, before we set a date for the wedding, I want to give you something.

Sarai looked at him, puzzled.

David reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small blue velvet box. When he opened it, she held her breath.

It was a ring. Not an engagement ring, not some unnecessary luxury. It was simple, but engraved on the inside with words that made her shiver.

"Even if you don’t remember, I never forgot."

She felt a lump in her throat.

—What does that mean?

—You’ll know, in time —David replied, looking at her with a depth that completely disarmed her—. What I want you to know now is that I’m not doing this out of pity or obligation. I’m here because I want to be. Because you mean more to me than you could ever imagine.

Sarai didn’t know what to say. The ring weighed in her hand as if it carried unspoken promises and past scars she hadn’t yet uncovered.

They sat on a sofa, upholstered in memories and silence. David didn’t push. He didn’t insist on anything else. He just looked at her, as if that alone could build a bridge across everything that separated them.

—I don’t know if I’m ready for this, David —she whispered, breaking—. Your mother hates me. Your last name is heavy. I’m just… I’m just Sarai. A regular girl who accepted a contract because her mom is dying and her brother is drowning in debt. I don’t belong in your world.

David leaned in, with a tenderness that hurt.

—And you still don’t understand that you are my world.

A thick silence enveloped them, as if the entire universe had paused so only their shared breaths could exist.

—Why me, David? Why not someone like you? Rich. Educated. Perfect. With a mother she doesn’t have to lie to in order to survive, and a brother who doesn’t sell his stuff to cover gambling debts.

—Because you’re real —he answered without hesitation—. Because when I saw you cry not knowing I was watching, when you fought not knowing someone was protecting you, I knew it was you. It had always been you.

Sarai closed her eyes. A tear slipped down her cheek without permission. Maybe there was a part of her that had been waiting for those words. Maybe fear was just the wall before the leap.

—What if your family tries to separate us?

—Then they’ll have to destroy me first.

She looked at him, both afraid and in awe.

—That’s more frightening than comforting.

—I know —he said—. But I’m willing to take the risk if you are too.

The night moved slowly. Sarai couldn’t sleep. She sat by her bedroom window, staring at the flickering lights of the city in the distance, as if each one represented a life easier than hers. She held the ring in her palm, unable to put it on. Her fingers brushed it again and again, as if waiting for a magical sign to confirm what she should do.

The sound of the front door shook her from her daze. Erick had just arrived. He was staggering slightly. He’d been drinking again. He’d probably gambled away what little money Sarai had saved for their mother’s medicine.

She went down immediately.

—Where have you been, Erick? —she asked, arms crossed.

—Not your business, Sarai —he replied, letting out a bitter laugh—. I’m not a kid. You don’t have to check in on me all the time.

—You’re my younger brother, and this house is your responsibility too. Do you know what I had to do today? Do you know what I’m putting up with so Mom doesn’t end up on the street?

—This again? —he said, tossing his backpack onto the couch—. What do you even do, Sarai? Work double shifts? Sell perfume door to door? You don’t look tired or like you’re dragging yourself through hospitals.

Sarai felt a stab in her chest.

—You don’t understand anything… —she murmured, eyes full of anger and disappointment—. Nothing I do is for me. I don’t even know if the man I’m going to marry actually loves me, or if this whole thing is going to destroy me too.

Erick looked up.

—You’re getting married?

Her eyes widened. She cursed herself silently. She shouldn’t have said that. Not yet.

—It’s none of your business.

—Of course it is! —he shouted—. If you’re marrying someone with money, he could help us, Sarai. We could get out of this misery! You could ask him to pay off my debts. He could even get into business with me!

—Are you hearing yourself, Erick?! —Sarai shouted too, now completely losing it—. You’re thinking about using someone you don’t even know! You know what? I don’t want you to meet him. I don’t want you near him. And don’t even think about asking him for anything!

Erick went quiet for a few seconds, then smirked cynically.

—Ah… so he is rich. Got it.

She clenched her fists.

—Don’t bring that up again. Don’t drag your problems into my only chance of escaping this hell. And if you care about Mom even a little, start acting like a decent son.

—And you? Will you tell Mom you’re selling yourself to a guy for a contract?

That phrase was like a dagger.

Sarai turned pale.

—You have no idea what you’re saying…

—Of course I do! You think I don’t see what’s going on with that guy picking you up in fancy cars? You think I don’t notice when you leave in borrowed clothes and come back with a fake smile?

Tears were already running down her face.

—Don’t judge me, Erick. I didn’t choose this. I’m doing what I can so Mom doesn’t die without treatment, so you don’t end up in jail, and so at least one of us has a future.

He looked at her, surprised by how sincerely she said it. For a second, he looked vulnerable… but his pride won out.

—Do whatever you want, Sarai. But when that guy gets tired of you and leaves you alone, don’t come looking for me. I’ll make my own way too.

She didn’t respond. She just climbed the stairs, her soul shattered.

\---

The next morning, her mother was waiting in the kitchen with a soft smile, pale, her hair pulled back with effort but her gaze warm.

—Good morning, my girl —she said in a weak voice.

—Good morning, Mom.

—Did something happen last night? I heard shouting.

Sarai faked a smile.

—Nothing important. Just Erick stuff. You know how he is.

Her mother took her hand gently.

—You’re very strong, Sarai. Sometimes I think you’re stronger than you should be. You don’t have to carry everything on your own.

Sarai knelt and hugged her tightly, hiding her tears in her mother’s neck.

—I’m not alone, Mom. Not entirely…

At that moment, her phone rang. It was David. A message.

"I’ll be at the hotel at 5. Bring the dress you liked. I have something planned for us."

She closed her eyes. Maybe the storm hadn’t ended. But for now, that message was her umbrella.