Chapter 7: An Unexpected Encounter at the Bar

Raylee stood before a shop, her slender form reflected in the polished glass. The vibrant, vivacious Raylee of the past, brimming with youthful beauty, was gone. She was now a mere shadow of her former self, frail and struggling to survive. Lacking both dignity and health, her reputation tarnished, she refused to surrender. Summoning her courage, she sought employment, eventually finding a bar that needed servers. The pay was meager, but it included meals and lodging. The dim lighting masked her weakened appearance, and her desperate need for work secured her the position. Raylee gratefully accepted, quickly changing into her uniform and beginning her duties.

In a corner booth, Waverly and her best friend, Mindy Woollen, were preparing to leave after a night out when Mindy’s sharp eyes spotted Raylee tidying the bar. “Wavy, doesn’t that server look like Raylee?”

“Raylee? A server?” Waverly was incredulous. “No way! She just got out of prison today. How could she be working already?” She peered closer, her brow furrowing. “It is her! Impressive, working as a server right after prison. She couldn't wait to fend for herself!”

“Shall we say hi?” Mindy asked, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

“Wait!” Waverly narrowed her eyes, a thoughtful expression settling on her face. She leaned in and whispered to Mindy.

Raylee was engrossed in her work when the manager approached. “A guest in Room 808 knocked over a bottle of wine. Clean it up immediately.” Without hesitation, Raylee went to the private room. Inside, she found Mindy alone—Waverly’s best friend. Four years earlier, when Waverly had been accused of stealing a necklace, Mindy’s testimony had sealed Raylee's fate. The encounter ignited a spark of anger. But for the sake of her job, Raylee suppressed her fury and began cleaning.

Mindy deliberately knocked over a glass of wine, then blamed Raylee. “What’s the deal with you? Can’t you do anything right? Do you want me to file a complaint?” Raylee’s grip tightened on her cleaning towel.

The bathroom door opened, and Waverly emerged. She rushed to Raylee, exclaiming, “Raylee! How are you working here? Oh my goodness, if Samuel and Mom found out, they’d be heartbroken!”

“This clumsy server is your sister? Wavy, are you sure you haven’t mistaken her?” Mindy feigned surprise.

Raylee’s face remained impassive as she watched their performance. “I just want to do my job. Please don’t make things difficult.”

“Raylee, why are you working in a place like this? Our family can support you. If you need money, just ask!” Waverly offered, taking the soiled towel with a concerned expression. Raylee refused to relinquish it. She wasn't sure if this meeting was coincidence or something more, but she wanted no conflict. She only wanted to work honestly. Silently, she continued cleaning.

“Raylee, let me help you!” Waverly insisted, attempting to assist. In her haste, Raylee accidentally cut her hand on broken glass, crying out in pain.

Seeing the blood, Raylee’s anger finally erupted. “What are you doing?” Tears welled in Waverly’s eyes. “Raylee, seeing you hurt upsets me. I just want to help,” she sobbed. Mindy discreetly began recording with her phone.

“I don’t need your help. Stop interfering!” Raylee snapped.

“Raylee, do you hate me?” Waverly asked, wiping her tears, her voice choked with emotion. “Back then, I was naive. I wanted that necklace, my greed took over. My actions led to your imprisonment, your suffering. It's only fair you resent me. Hit me, scold me. Maybe then I'll feel better!”

“Hit you, scold you?” Raylee scoffed, glaring at Waverly. “I returned from the brink of death, not to soothe your guilt!” Her disabled legs throbbed, a constant, agonizing reminder of her suffering, but she endured stoically. The dim light cast a sorrowful pallor on her face, making her seem like a lifeless puppet. Waverly, witnessing this, felt a flicker of fear. Raylee, despite her frailty, exuded a quiet strength.

Raylee looked out the window, the breeze ruffling her bangs. “You are the true daughter of the Goodridge family. My birth mother was a housekeeper who maliciously switched us. You suffered so much in that family. They forbade you from studying, wanted to marry you off to a forty-year-old man for a dowry. I felt for you deeply. When you returned, I was ready to give you everything. I wanted harmony, I would have even left the family! I wanted to cherish you as my sister, to give you the love of parents, siblings! Even when Mom asked me to break off the engagement with Casimir, it was agonizing, but I did it for you. I was sincere, but what about you? How did you treat me?”

Waverly sobbed uncontrollably, her hand covering her mouth, appearing wronged and burdened. Raylee frowned, remarking sarcastically, “Can you please stop crying? You’re making it seem like I’ve been bullying you! When you first returned, you cried constantly without explanation. Samuel misunderstood, thinking I was the one bullying you.”

Waverly remained silent, still weeping. Raylee felt a profound sense of helplessness, as if delivering a monologue. Her words had reduced Waverly to tears, and Samuel, witnessing this, would undoubtedly blame her without understanding.

“Raylee, you’re a good sister. It was my fault, I’m sorry. I was immature, I didn’t mean to get you imprisoned…” Tears streamed down Waverly’s face as she bowed deeply.

“Oh? Just immature, or did you deliberately set me up?” Raylee’s expression hardened, her gaze unwavering.