t like someone was driving a railroad spike through her

und her waist. Her phone was on the

alls. Fourteen text

please

what yo

m is

ove

e delete button for their photo album, but she co

for her job at the gallery, looking fierce in black leather. She set a stea

I can't go. Ever

is a cheating rat," Harper said. "You are Elena Vance.

until it was pink, trying to wash off the feeling of the alley. She put on he

buzzing, phones ringing, keyboards clacking. It was usually a sound

noise level dropped. Heads turned.

y k

e, but before she could sit down, the managing edit

red. "Mr. Friedman wa

omach drop

of the row. The blinds were drawn, which was ne

in his mouth, was sitting behind his desk. He looked pale, sweati

Victoria Kensington here. Just the heavy

edman mumbled, shuffli

ed, remaining standing. "Because my

g up. His eyes were fearful. "Corporate called this morning.

r. "Restructuring? I'm your lead reporter.

"But the directive came from the top. The board... they're concerned abo

ous sound. "You mean the Kensington advertising account?

a, please. Don't make this harder. The seve

the desk. "I've been here four years!

e. "And... frankly, Elena, you can't win this. They have lawyers who cost more pe

k. "Your final check. And a letter of re

envelope. It felt

d, Friedman," s

ave a mortgage, Elena. I have kids in c

word. She turned and walked out of the office, fe

to anyone. She just walked to the elevators, her

With rent due in three days and her

ise of the street rushing in to meet h

's voice was apologetic but firm. "I'm calling to inform you that the

the phone. "That's impos

ved a notification that the supplementary charity grant your fat

adn't even known there was a specific donor. Spencer. It had to be. O

id, her voice shaking.

ay, Miss Vance. Or we'll have to initi

ne wen

nking app. Checking Balance: $3,214.50. The

as dr