ie

either change me for good or destroy everything I had left. I stole one last

beneath my fingertips as the line rang, but

e relieved or disappointed.

yes locked with

cked.

My voice cracked. Tiffany moved closer, gen

? This is Joel White, his manag

e cold water. "Oh,

inked at me

it, may I g

call you later." I tried to e

from you soon," he said,

uickly and r

d?" Tiffany le

cked up. Darius

u going to call

ough that again. Didn't y

ll call him back."

aid, short

I looked at Tiffany with wide, terrified e

one. Like it might bite. "

abbed the phone, kept it on sp

ped. I didn't know

h you now," the manager said. Tiffany hande

g time." She nudged. I was still shaking my head when

," I br

llowed. Thi

ielle, is

tone was cold. Tiffany smiled. Like she had won. I took

e said. "So, have you given it a

anted to... renegot

led. "Ano

Ye

nt. "Alright. I'll come se

loudly. I didn't know why the idea of seeing him made me feel like I

to be careful. "Okay. Anywhere you want. Text the addr

hung up and collapsed ont

seems pretty chill. Maybe I

ally?" I hissed. I didn't know why

," she said softly. "Ever

ords of affirmation always hit deep, but hers suddenly felt..

fortable with the smirk on her lips. "Good ni

ting I had responsibilities and a life to deal with. Whe

knocked on Tiffany's door. No answer. I opened it

ft a note and an envelope

the envelope is the money you asked for. I hope it's enough to ta

hile readin

ffany had always been a blessing, and I sil

ote and mone

No need to meet

dressed quickly and rushed to the

was too loud to care. I was genuinely excited.

t even call my boss. I wasn't

, waiting for my Uber, my phone

Center.

hoosing the meeting place and time.

e desp

I got in. Tiffany's word

voice felt l

ever mattered to me. Pain had always repla

ow, I gave

the spoiled rich kids I helped with assignments. He

opened the door. She could probably be Tessa's roo

s had a g

e things rarely shocked me any

hed, made toast and eggs. Lilith texted the ac

less

gloss, mascara, to shape my brows. I wasn't dressing to impress

d top to hide the cut.

pproached. Leaves rustled sof

ry. Of a

in. I walked in, scanned the room. No

ent pressed me into rest

knock on t

, melting smile. I pretended not to feel anything. "

ess. Don't tell me you changed your mind

aren't I?" My voic

k very be

. A cold shiver cra

t as a complim

t an

ht. "Are you going to

You said you wanted to make

. You want me to marry you

igh

s in it for me? I'm not going to

y car. I don't think

ging the past into this. This is a new deal, and it

nce irritated me more than his words. I mir

spoke. "What

led. "You'll

ed but sa

s me. Financially of course. After three months

And you want me to take care

ng to scam you. Once you agree, I'll do whatever y

ed, loud

funny?" I

en know who I am?" His gaze met mine,

e, unblinking. I

or myself. I only care about myself."

that risk. And like he sa

aid, opportunities like