e?" Bella

t steal the child," She exp

r as he continued, hi

n here with my d

d called the police, immediately

the crying child

and I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry... please, don't call

drained, innocent, marked by poverty,her eyes tired,

ut he didn't reach out, his ga

y left her in a park. I only wanted to scare that man awa

y back, settling her into the stroller as t

, waiting-expecting grat

the words sounding more like

harply, tired

t. I could've killed your chil

ed a bro

ght thing now com

e wouldn't be demanding payment for doing a good deed-but right now, she

k care of her

"Isn't that what a norm

the form of money wouldn't hurt," she snapped. "Or are rich people always this stingy? And how

was? In all of New York, everyone knew Lucian Rodrigue

to his pockets and tosse

Now ge

at the money.

soned, though a small, insistent part

riking a careful balance be

ve on so little. I'm an orphan, homeless, with nowhere to go.

t hers. "Her mother is

opped to

Anyone could see them...someone co

out," he or

ything at all, whatever pleases you. Just take me away from pov

have turned and walked away. But he didn't

e glanced down at his daughter-quiet, unusually calm in Bella's presence. He couldn't

aid at last

so fast it looked as thou

he interpreted the movement as

y carefully, while he lifted

gestured toward t

itation, she

pen automatically as Lucian drove i

he stroller as the little girl giggled happil

ew employees greeted, bow

girl?" some

nother replied dismissivel

ing to meet their eyes, feelin

ice. The doors closed behind

is chair, his g

said quickly, her voice quivering, but firm. "You w

him. A dark curiosity glimmered in his

e phone. "Bring

seemed ordinary compared to the man in front of her. There was something almost unreal about him

ns, not now. Her focus had to be on securing the life s

focuse

is your

a," sh

ame," he

a Hale," s

Even if I asked you to act like a monkey, you would. No questions, no hesitation. I expect silence from the child at all time

ickly. "I'm alone in this world. You

igned without hesitation,

ulfill. You will ensure I never go poor again.

then signed the contract wi

De