, her face pale and drawn. Sh

and the spoon in her hand moved absent

isa watched her with

leep all nig

She lowered her head,

ing to you," Raisa said again, her t

more do you want from me? You've alr

coffee, then set the porcela

ly enough to pay for your fathe

l bills disappear just bec

her with barely

I can earn my o

a interrupted w

uld hire an inexperienced girl like you? The world

. "At least I woul

She leaned back in her

rself? You'r

g you a chance to

traightened in her sea

g, pulled out a brown envelope

ut-hospital bills, treatment break

them," she

r father will be discharged from his ro

embled as she sta

t's impos

, dear." Raisa's voice softene

tion. A certain man from the southern city-a

confusion. "Inte

a replied with

chain in the south. He's willing to pay one

seemed to s

stepmother, disbelief

. what did y

ly." Raisa leaned forw

r can continue his treatment. You'll have mon

standing so abruptly her

! I'm not somet

her face twisting

your pride-it's about your father's life. Do

her trembling h

-you're greedy! You want

cracked across

ugh the room, leaving

ging face, her eyes glis

alk to me like that

father became useless! If it weren't f

a said quietly but firmly, "you wou

her, eyes blazing

e a choice. And

tions, Alysa-one night,

e, her lips

you would

saving myself." Raisa's

If you refuse, I'll call the hospital and

nd her, leaving Alysa

-

sky burned red-li

room floor, staring b

er and over, but she

n the bed, then went sile

he whispered th

sorr

out a small silver ring-Kenan'

ed his promise: "I'll

romise felt

ck shattere

isa's voice ca

made your

e just stared at her re

amiliar-her eyes swo

man is waiting for you at the h

nutes, I'll take it as your c

d her face wi

. what sh

ring resting in h

n her mind-his smile, h

I'd rather die than hurt you," s

. I can't l

. She hugged her knees tight

o pour heavily-as if the s

ong moment

steady. She looked into

o it," she

r Fa

o the dress Raisa had chosen for her-far

o her like sin, gleaming under t

stood at the foot of the st

ly decided to be reaso

said

s slowly, each step feelin

isa said before t

After that, everyt

the car window as

ing her reflection in the glass-a young woman who ha

single sentence ech

fice will never w