BLESSED BUT BROKEN

Episode 3

The following morning, after breakfast, Grace was preparing to leave for her minion work when Mama Grace called Deborah into her room. The old woman's eyes were swollen from crying, and her heart felt heavier than ever.

"Deborah, come and sit down, my child," she said softly.

Deborah immediately sensed something was wrong. She sat beside her grandmother and watched as Mama Grace reached into a drawer and brought out a brown envelope. With trembling hands, she handed it over to Deborah.

Curious, Deborah opened it and gasped.

Inside were the documents of their house.

"Mama, what is this?" she asked in shock.

Mama Grace swallowed hard before speaking.

"This house is the only valuable thing we have left. Sell it, Deborah. Hopefully the money will be enough for your travel and the competition."

Deborah stared at the documents in disbelief. Before she could respond, Grace, who had overheard the conversation, rushed into the room.

"No!" she shouted.

Both women turned to look at her.

"No, Mama. That will never happen."

The anger in Grace's voice surprised Deborah. She had never seen her sister so furious before.

"What do you mean sell the house?" Grace continued. "After selling it, where are we supposed to stay? On the streets? This is the only home we have."

Mama Grace tried to explain.

"My child, this is for Deborah's future. This opportunity could change all our lives."

"But what future will we have if we become homeless?" Grace fired back.

The room became tense as both women argued back and forth. Mama Grace insisted that sacrifices had to be made, while Grace refused to accept the idea of losing the home their late mother had worked so hard to keep.

Deborah sat quietly, understanding both sides. She knew her grandmother was only trying to help her achieve her dreams, but she also understood Grace's fears. Once the house was sold, they would have nowhere else to go.

After several minutes of heated discussion, Grace finally fell silent. She looked around the small house, her eyes filling with tears.

Reluctantly, she nodded.

"Fine," she said quietly. "If this is what has to happen, then so be it."

Mama Grace sighed with relief.

However, Grace immediately turned to Deborah with a stern expression.

"You had better win this competition."

Deborah blinked.

"I'm serious," Grace continued. "Mama is sacrificing everything she has because she believes in you. We are losing our home because of this opportunity. Don't waste it."

Tears gathered in Deborah's eyes as she nodded.

"I won't."

Grace picked up her bag.

"On my way back from work, I'll start looking for houses we can rent and move into."

Without another word, she left for work.

The moment the door closed behind her, Deborah could no longer contain her emotions. Tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees before Mama Grace.

"Mama, thank you," she sobbed. "Thank you for trusting me and believing in my talent.". Remember the sacrifices being made for you."

Deborah listened carefully.

"Do not allow your emotions or feelings to distract you," Mama Grace continued. "Do not let anyone take your attention away from your purpose. Carry yourself with dignity and make us proud."

Deborah nodded repeatedly.

"I promise, Mama."

The old woman held her hands tightly.

"Do not put this family to shame."

"I won't."

"Do not return with excuses."

"I won't."

"Return with good news."

Deborah wiped her tears and straightened her shoulders.

For the first time since the competition was announced, she felt the full weight of the responsibility resting upon her.

Looking directly into her grandmother's eyes, she spoke with confidence.

"I promise you, Mama. I will make it back. I will return with the winning prize, and every sacrifice you and Grace are making today will be worth it."

Mama Grace smiled through her tears and pulled Deborah into a warm embrace, silently praying that her granddaughter's dreams would be big enough to save them all.

With tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, Deborah rushed out of the house. She could barely contain her excitement.

Finally, her dream was within reach.

The documents were secured, the sacrifice had been made, and for the first time, she could see a path leading toward the competition she had prayed so hard for.

As she ran through the familiar streets, her heart pounded with anticipation. Her mind drifted to the possibilities that lay ahead.

She imagined standing on a grand stage before thousands of people.

She imagined singing her heart out while the audience cheered.

She imagined lifting the winner's trophy and returning home with enough money to buy back everything her family had sacrificed for her.

A smile spread across her lips.

No matter how tired she became, she refused to slow down.

She continued running until she finally arrived at Mr. Fidelis' house.

Bent over and struggling to catch her breath, Deborah placed her hands on her knees.

Mr. Fidelis happened to be outside in the compound. He had just finished washing his clothes and was spreading them under the morning sun to dry. A towel was wrapped around his waist while another rested on his shoulder.

. He had not even finished dressing properly and had only wrapped a towel around his waist while drying himself.

Normally, Deborah might have noticed how athletic he looked, with broad shoulders and a well-built frame from years of physical activity. But at that moment, she was far too excited to pay attention to any of that.

The moment he saw Deborah rushing into his compound, looking completely out of breath, concern immediately crossed his face.

Her mind was occupied by only one thing.

The competition.

Her future.

Her dream.

"Deborah!" he called out.

He quickly dropped the cloth he was holding and walked toward her.

"What happened?"

Deborah tried to speak but could barely breathe.

"Sir... I..."

"What is it?" he asked anxiously. "You're scaring me. Did something happen to Mama Grace?"

"No!"

"Grace?"

"No!"

"Then what happened?"

Deborah suddenly burst into laughter and tears at the same time as she joyfully explained the good news to him and she showed him the documents to the house...

For a moment, Mr. Fidelis stood speechless.

He had expected resistance from the family, but he never imagined Mama Grace would make such a sacrifice.....

Then a smile slowly spread across his face.

"That's wonderful news, Deborah," he said.

But as he lowered his head slightly, another expression briefly crossed his face.

A smile that was different.

A smile that carried a strange sense of satisfaction.

Perfect timing.

I never thought it would be this easy, he thought to himself.

Everything was falling into place exactly as he had hoped.

The house will being sold.

The money will soon be available.

And Deborah was willingly walking toward the future he had carefully painted before her....

to be continued....