The Reluctant Vow

save for the hum of the refrigerator and the occasional rustle of the wind outside. In her hands, she held her phone, staring at Lily's name on the screen. Her thumb hovered

the screen. The phone rang twice before L

How are you

ed when she spoke. "Not great, Lily. I need to

wheels turning on the other end. "What's going on? You know I'm

od and ending with the tense meeting where Victoria had laid out her proposal. She tried to keep her voice steady

end. Clara's heart pounded as she waited for Lily to say something. The wei

ed, her voice bare

reaking the silence. "I'm just..

ts. "What am I supposed to do, Lily? Marry some stranger because his mo

on," Lily said, finishing her sentence for he

ed's headboard. "Exactly. The debts, the house, the bills piling up-I'm drowning

hen she spoke again. "I get it, Clara. Believe me, I

confusion deepening

rriage proposal. It's a chance to turn your life around. You wouldn't just be marrying Marcus Blackwood-you'

ight. Her fingers absently tugged at the frayed hem of her sweater. "But

alue your independence, and I admire that about you. But sometimes, being strong means ac

ove and understanding. "It's not just about me, Lily. What kind of life would I be walkin

t know unless you try. And from what you've told me, it doesn't sound lik

y couldn't see her. "Yeah, sh

gh the pros and cons. And remember, whatever

friend's words. Her voice trembled as she spoke. "T

here's what you're going to do: make yourself a cup of tea, take a deep breath, and write do

ing her. "Tea and journaling, huh? You've

it," Lily teased. "Now go. And c

aid softly. "Go

ight,

for a while, letting Lily's words sink in. She knew her friend

m Victoria Blackwood could be forgotten. But the other part of her, the part still clinging to the hope o

he mug in her hands, letting the heat seep into her palms. Her mind, though, was still racing as she sat at her small kitchen table, notebook in

o the page in a messy stream of consciousness. The words came slower th

r

ial st

debt col

g the

esh

o

my inde

ng a s

Blackwood famil

stability would solve so many problems, but at what cost? Could she really marry a man she didn't know, live a life

er father's house, once a symbol of love and security, was now a constant reminder of her mounting debt. Every cor

her, a life she now feared she might lose. How could she betray his memory by making a choice that seemed to sacrifice

at to do. The choice seemed impossible, and no matte

n could wait until tomorrow. Tonight, she needed to s

ning to the same question: Could she s

t, was it