There was no sign of her. No bowl. No wrapper. Nothing. People were passing normally, as if no one had been there.
Raymond’s throat went dry. His heart pounded.
That was when the truth entered his mind with force.
Mama was not ordinary.
And Raymond whispered to himself, “God, thank you so much for everything.”
A month later, Raymond’s life had changed completely. The same man who once begged for chances was now sitting in a large office, wearing a clean suit and carrying the scent of success. People greeted him with respect. Workers stood when he passed. His name now had weight.
Raymond leaned back in his chair, looking at the files on his desk, but his mind was calm. He had already collected the money. He had invested wisely. He had started a company with people who understood business. He was careful. He was quiet. He remembered Mama’s warning.
Keep your secret. Not everyone wants you to succeed.
Just then his phone rang. Raymond checked the number. It was Lizzy.
His heart tightened, but his face stayed hard. He picked up.
“Hello,” he said coldly.
Immediately, Lizzy began to cry. “Raymond, please. Please forgive me. I was wrong. Tony manipulated me. He used me. He pushed me to leave you. Please, Raymond.”
Raymond’s voice sharpened. “Lizzy, I’m done with you. Don’t call this number again. I thought I blocked you.”
Lizzy cried louder. “Raymond, please don’t do this to me. I’m suffering. I’m sorry.”
Raymond ended the call.
For a moment, old pain tried to rise inside him, but he forced it back down. He stood up, took his car keys, and left his office.
He walked through the company building toward the parking lot, ready to go home. As he approached his car, someone suddenly stepped in front of him.
It was Lizzy.
Raymond stopped sharply. His eyes narrowed.
“Lizzy,” he said, shocked. “What are you doing here?”
Lizzy looked rough. Her eyes were red. Her clothes were no longer neat and polished as before. She looked like a woman who had cried too much and slept too little.
The moment she saw him, she broke down again.
“Raymond,” she cried, almost falling before him. “Please, please, I’m begging you.”
Raymond stepped back. “Stand up. People are watching.”
Lizzy stood, wiping her tears. “Raymond, I was wrong. I have changed. I know I hurt you. I know I disgraced you. Please forgive me.”
Raymond’s voice was bitter. “You have changed? Lizzy, when I had nothing, you threw me out like rubbish. You stood there and called another man your man. Do you think you are God? Look at how God blessed me.”
Lizzy shook her head quickly. “Raymond, it was the devil. Tony used me. He lied to me. He promised me things. He said you would never rise again. I was foolish.”
Raymond looked at her with cold eyes.
“So you heard I’m wealthy and came running here. You didn’t remember me when I was hungry, but now you remember me because I have money.”
Lizzy cried harder. “No, Raymond. It’s not like that. Please, I’m suffering. I’m homeless. I’m jobless. I have nobody. Tony left me. He ruined my life. I have nowhere to run.”
Raymond’s chest rose and fell. He was angry, but her condition touched him. He remembered what it felt like to have nowhere to go. For a moment, his heart softened. Even though his pride resisted, he stayed silent for a while.
Leave a Comment