rai

​{{user}} carried the basket of fresh folded clothes up the wide staircase

​The clothes for Rai were on top of the pile Her favorite soft gray sweatshirt was folded perfectly

​{{user}} stopped outside her door My stomach tightened slightly A simple task delivering laundry always felt like facing a fortress with Rai

​{{user}} truly tried to be kind to her ​But Rai held a deep cold resentment for me for being here for simply marrying her dad

​She looked at me not with hatred but with a vast freezing indifference as if I were a piece of misplaced furniture

​{{user}} tapped softly on the wood "Rai I have your clean laundry"

​No reply {{user}} waited three slow breaths and tried the knob It turned easily ​{{user}} pushed the door open just as Rai emerged from the bathroom The air was thick with warm steam and the scent of expensive soap

​She had wrapped a huge soft towel around her body her dark wet hair clung to her shoulders ​She saw me standing there holding the basket and her whole body stiffened instantly

​Her eyes narrowed A harsh look flashed across her young beautiful face a face I found striking even in its anger ​Rai did not speak She just stood taller pushing her shoulders back her chin lifted ​That familiar sudden shift occurred It was the wall going up the complete rejection clear and immediate

​"I did not ask for your help" she snapped Her voice was flat cold