The Marriage Bargain

Chapter 1

I trudged through the front door, exhausted, carrying a heavy bag of groceries. My mom, and my little brother, Jack, looked up from the couch, their faces worn out. We've been struggling to make ends meet for months now. The weight of responsibility has been crushing me, but I can't give up. I have to keep going for my family.

“Hey, kiddo, how was work?” Mom asked, forcing a smile. She's been trying to hide her worry, but I can see it in her eyes.

“It was okay. Just tired,” I replied, dropping the bag on the kitchen counter. I've been working double shifts at the diner, trying to make up for the lack of money.

“Sophia, you have to take care of yourself too. You've been working so hard for the family, you haven't even taken a dime for yourself.” Mom said.

“I know, but someone has to keep a roof over our heads,” I said, frustration creeping into my voice. We've been living on the edge, and it's taking a toll on all of us.

Ever since my father left us, we have been struggling to make ends meet. My mother being devastated by my father's actions has fallen ill, and is yet to recover. My younger brother, Jack, is too young to help make money for the family, so I've been left all alone with the responsibilities, all on my shoulders like an anvil.

“Sophia, you've done too much for this family. You dropped out of school just so you could train your younger brother, and you take double shifts just so you can pay for my drugs…. You are such a wonderful gift to me, and I thank God for having such a child like you.” Mom said, trying to hold back tears. “If only your father were here to see what a wonderful woman you've grown up to be.”

“Mom, I thought we talked about this. You know he is the reason you are in this condition in the first place. So please, stop remembering him… He chose that b***h over us, so to hell with him.” I said, my countenance instantly swapping to anger.

“Sorry Sophia, but I just can't help it. I loved your father so much, and I did so much to keep us together, but rather, he chose another woman over me.” Mom couldn't hold back tears again as she spoke.

“Mom… You have to forget him. You tried your best to keep the family together, and if not for your condition, I know you would probably be doing what I'm doing right now. Furthermore, you are an excellent woman, and not just that, you are strong, hardworking, and courageous…. Now you have to promise me that you'll never forget that, and don't let dad's stupidity ever make you feel otherwise.” I said, my voice filled with emotions.

“Oh Sophia… I wish it was as easy as just saying it. I can't just forget him, it is basically impossible. He was my first love…. so it's not going to be as easy as you said.” Mom said, coughing intermittently as she spoke.

“At least give it a try, mother. Even if you can't forget him, at least forgive him… Hold no grudge against him, and come out of this state of depression you are in… As you can see, that's what is aggravating your illness, and if you don't, you'll get worse.” I said, tears gathering in my eyes. “Look mom, you have to do this for me… For Jack… Have you stopped to think what would happen to us if you died? Please, Mom… Stop thinking about him”

“I've heard you Sophia, I'd do my best… I'd try to forgive him, and also myself, forever marrying him.” Mom said, with tears rolling down her cheeks as she spoke.

“Please Mom, there is no room for regrets now. The more you regret, the harder it is for you to progress. The first step to come out of depression is to stop regretting…. If you stop regretting taking the actions you took, then you'd never get to feel bad, even if you're at the point of death.” I said. “Don't regret mom, just…. Forgive.”

“What surprises me the most is how you manage to stay positive, even though your defeat is right in front of you, and your past refuses to let go of you.” Mom said, wiping her tears. “Tell me, Sophia, how do you do it?”

“Do what mom?”

“Don't play dumb with me, Sophia… What's the secret behind your positive attitude?” Mom said, forcing a smile.

“It's simple, I never regret. No matter how many terrible choices I've made, and no matter how many people let me down, I'd still never regret taking the choices I made, or befriending the people I did…. I basically on a no regretting streak.” I said.

“A no regretting streak? Pfft… Is that even possible? Could anyone live a life without a single regret?” Mom said.

“Your question has already been answered, mom… Looking at me, you could already tell that it's possible for someone to live a life without regrets.” I said.

“I see… You are indeed an exceptional child. Your mates would have probably been in a worse situation than I am after going through what we went through… Or rather, eloped with a man who would most likely do the same thing your father did. However, you are just different from your mates, and I love how special you are.” Mom said, with tears of joy, flowing down her cheeks.

“Well what can I say, I learned from the best…"

KNOCK!! KNOCK!! KNOCK!!

“Romanoff!!!”

“What the hell?” I exclaimed angrily as I rushed to see who was at the door.

“Romanoff!!!” The voice persisted.

I flared up in anger, and was ready to lash out at whoever it was at the door, or at least, so I thought. As the voice persisted, I began to sense its familiarities, and soon, all signs came together, and I knew who it was.

Furthermore, if it was truly who I thought it was, then I was in deep s**t. As I opened the door slowly, and peeped to see who it was, I realized that my suspicions were correct.

Gasp.