n't s

ed and watched the green line on the heart monitor go up

from my wallet and took an Uber

ark A

cou

and money. The doorman looked at my faded NYU

Moretti," I whispered,

tly. "Of course, Ms. Russo. T

ent. It opened direc

n apartmen

city looked tiny below. It was so quiet I could hear my own breathing

ferent suit today, charcoal grey. He was on the phone, sp

u c

said. My voice was h

e your mother's life crazy?" He walked towards me. He wasn't trying to

was a single folder. Thick. Besid

mach d

it," h

. The first page sa

ONTRACT -

my hands

12 m

Russo's medical expenses ($52,740)

dit

he primary residence

as a married couple

unless mutually initiate

onships with other pe

n regarding Mr. Moret

0-year non

nesslike. Like I was be

sign my life awa

d I want my company. It's a transaction, Elena. Don't make

me angry

it's like! You were born in this! I work two jobs! My mom cleans toilets so I can go to college! And now you're

went de

oo far. That his secur

second, something flickered in those

. Before my father married her. She died when I was fifte

red a

he velvet box

Not big and flashy. A thin platinum band with a sing

he said. "She never

s spill

telling me th

rstand. I do. That's why I picked you, Elena. Y

e ring out

ity Hall. We get married. I will pay the hospital today. Today. Your moth

in 72 hou

g chemicals. How she always saved the best piece o

at was one year of my life

was the real question. The one every girl a

ose. He didn't touch me. He he

tti. No one. Not even me, if you don't want me to. You will be safer with my nam

believ

why, but I

my shakin

e the r

t per

irst, then warm

ed. "Is it a yes

t me like a

Mor

ake bride of the most d

contract. At the

I si

es

paper, his phone rang. He answere

t Sinai for Maria Russo. Full amount.

p and loo

l be in surgery

My legs gave out and I sank to the floor of

to walk away. T

, next to me, on the floor. A man in a $10,000 suit, sitting

," he said, his voice so low I almost didn't

rang. The

with shak

ull payment in full for Maria Russo. And... Dr. Sinclair ha

nte. He was st

sband paid,"

time, the lie didn