AN'S

ears. Five years si

beneath an ever-growing list of responsibilities. Some days, it was a dull throb at the back

s one of th

or pleasure, not even for

rules, and if that required sitting through hours o

and I decided I needed a moment of peace. But the l

my handler. And right now, she had that all

o say to me?" I asked, rubbing my temples,

ough I could already sense the accusation laced within her tone. "Did

ely bl

s. W

a smirk-one that didn'

ed to go for that

hould ha

fully aware of the invisible chains Cindy had wrapped around the com

ched

eas

rine s

and you still dare ask why? The company has alr

smile. "Don't tell me Cindy made you come to me? Is she afraid that I, a small-time actress

out a cold, m

ou something, darling-Cindy's role is secured. The Andersons family has invested 30 million into

r gaze, u

are you s

ression

n. You're my artist, and you hav

I'm an artist under you?" I ret

sighed im

e you're refusing to comply, don't

ine as I stumbled forward, my phone slipping from my grasp and skidding across the co

shut behind me wit

g out in sharp, unsteady gasps. The sharp sc

door, banging on

oor!" I screamed, my voi

len

st the wood again. "You c

e was no

reaths coming out in short, heavy bursts. The alcohol was still in my system, and c

wn to the floor, resting my head against the

led into fist

y would do anything to kee

ting the silence settl

noi

most imperce

ad sna

ut then it came again-a faint shuffle,

y gaze toward the farth

d a stack of worn-o

ittl

kin a soft, milky white. His dark lashes were long and curled slightly at the tips, framing a pair of wide, glassy eyes that held an

t-jet-black and slightly tousled, giving him the appe

e a frightened kitten, his tiny hands clut

happiness. What was making her happ

in a storeroom of a bar? There shouldn't be a custo