The contract bride

A ray of hope

Chapter 5: A Ray of Hope

Linda trudged through the streets with her small bag of belongings slung over her shoulder. Her mother’s venomous words still echoed in her ears: “You’re useless, a burden. Pack your things and leave. There’s no place for you under this roof!” Her bruised arms ached, but the pain in her chest was far worse. She felt like she’d hit rock bottom—homeless, penniless, and emotionally drained.

The cold wind bit at her skin through Liam’s oversized hoodie and joggers, the only clothing she had left. She shoved her hands deep into the joggers’ pockets for warmth, her fingers brushing against something crinkly. Pausing mid-step, she frowned and pulled it out.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. A thick wad of cash stared back at her.

“How come I didn’t notice this before?” she murmured, her voice trembling. Tears pricked her eyes—not of sadness, but of relief. It was as though fate had thrown her a lifeline when she needed it most.

Clutching the money tightly, she scanned the area for a place to eat. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her she hadn’t had a proper meal in nearly two days. A small food stall caught her eye, and she hurried over, her heart racing at the thought of finally satisfying her hunger.

She ordered a steaming bowl of noodles and sat at a wooden bench under the awning, savoring every bite. The warmth of the food filled her, momentarily pushing away the cold and despair that had consumed her since the morning.

As she ate, Linda glanced around, her eyes landing on a notice pinned to a nearby lamppost. It was a small piece of paper, slightly crumpled and damp from the weather, but the bold letters were still legible:

"Room for Rent – Affordable Rates. Furnished. Call or Visit Address Below."

Her heart skipped a beat. She grabbed the notice with shaking hands, careful not to tear it.

“This could be it,” she whispered, hope sparking in her chest. Without wasting another moment, she paid for her food and set off in search of the address.

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The journey wasn’t easy. Linda faced several challenges along the way—unhelpful directions, a long walk through unfamiliar neighborhoods, and the growing weight of her bag—but she pressed on, driven by the thought of finally having a place to call her own.

When she finally reached the address, she stopped in front of an old, modest building. The paint was peeling, and the yard was overgrown with weeds, but it didn’t matter. To Linda, it looked like paradise.

She knocked on the door hesitantly. After a few moments, an elderly woman answered, her kind eyes wrinkling as she smiled.

“Are you here about the room?” the woman asked.

Linda nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes, I saw the notice.”

The woman ushered her inside, leading her to a small but cozy apartment on the first floor. The room had a bed, a small table, a stove, and even a few utensils. It wasn’t much, but it was more than Linda had expected.

“The previous tenant left these things behind,” the woman explained. “He moved abroad and asked me to rent the place to someone who could take care of it.”

Linda’s eyes filled with tears as she looked around. She could already imagine herself living here, rebuilding her life piece by piece.

“How much is the rent?” she asked nervously, fearing it might be out of her reach.

The woman’s smile widened. “It’s very affordable, dear. I’m more concerned about finding someone who will look after the place.”

Linda quickly agreed, handing over the money she’d found in Liam’s pocket. The woman handed her the keys and wished her well before leaving.

As Linda closed the door behind her, a deep sense of relief washed over her. She finally had a roof over her head—a safe space where she could begin again.

She dropped her bag on the floor and sank onto the bed, staring at the cracked ceiling. Her mind wandered back to Liam, the man whose clothes and money had unknowingly saved her. What was his story? Would he even notice the missing cash?

With a deep sigh, Linda pushed the thoughts aside. She had bigger concerns now—finding a job, rebuilding her confidence, and proving to herself that she could rise above the challenges life had thrown at her.

For the first time in a long while, Linda allowed herself a small, hopeful smile.

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