hard line. He looked her up and dow

ands on the marble counter and leaned forwa

e are you playing

f his presence. The small of her back hi

eady her racing pulse. She l

p manage your life right

e she had lost her min

w how to use the mi

eeks. She pointed toward

the entire apart

enched tighter. This level of order was beyond her. A calculated

he had left. He pushed the pen

My creditors will be at the

as only a few thousand dollars. If she took that mon

ast the expensive fountain pen. She gr

xed slightly. He thought

h brutal force. The crisp sound of tearing paper ripped through t

lute shock as the torn pieces fluttered

gain and again until it was nothing but useless

and into the trash can. She dusted

aid for richer or fo

a physical blow. He opened his mouth, bu

een them. Then, a low, distinct

of Alek's neck. He quickly turned his b

posture. She bit the inside of her

nience store and get someth

coldly. He walked away from the kitchen

grabbed her phone and her coat an

ed the front door open. The cold draft from

op. Her mind raced, calculating how to buy the most fill

nt door click shut. He immediately walked over to h

ooking back. He let out a cold scoff. He was sure s

to the bathroom and stared at his exhausted

street. She stood in front of the shelves, ca

ton of eggs, a pack of bacon, and a discounted

y. She watched the balance drop to nearly zero

ork wind whipped through her thin coat. She wrapped her arms arou