tal'

my cheap heels. I found a small breakroom down the hall. It was nicer than any kitchen I had ever lived in. There

it for him every morning in our tiny apartment near campus. Back then, he would wrap his arms around my waist and kis

g behind his desk, looking at a laptop. He didn

aid. Using a title felt

you. He just stared at the steam rising from the cup. "S

ir. "I just need enough to

ngs. Why else would you marry a Valerius? My father told me how much he paid you t

is father had cornered me in a hospital hallway while my mother was gasping for air. I wanted to tell him th

l, I might slip up. I might tell him a

b, Alex. Not a lect

of papers from a folder and slid them across the desk.

de. It was enough to move to a better neighborhood. It was enough for Ly

the catch

ny twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If I call you at three in the morning, you answer. If I

when he usually had his nightmares. "I can't do tw

" he snapped. "A cat? A

ust... things at home. I

lacklisted, remember? You're lucky I'm even letting you sit in this chair. You want the money? You sign the paper. If you do

to bring me flowers and help me study for

st," I said, trying to

He sat on the edge of

bout "absolute discretion" and "total availability." My heart hammered against my

ou hate me. You have a thousand people who would

to see the look on your face when you realize what you threw away for a quick payday

ruel man, Al

plied. "Do we have a deal, or are

eavy and expensive. My hand trembled as I signed my

"Your desk is right outside those doors. There's a pile of filing that needs

first," I said, thinking of the babysitter. Mrs. Gable

d, turning back to his computer. "If you leave now, you're

x, pl

ake me another coffe

the hallway. It was beautiful, made of white marble with a brand-new computer, but it

have to stay late. Can you st

my throat. A minute l

t don't be late. I

at the pile of folders on my desk. They were all marked '

d of him talking on the phone, his voice deep and commanding. It was so strange to be this close

ut, putting on his suit jacket. He looked perfe

unch," he said,

e with you to take note

down. His eyes stayed on my fra

ting a business partner at Le Cirque. You aren't dresse

Ye

't want your sticky fingers on my private files. I know

sat back down, tears stinging my eyes. He really thou

n my phone's lock screen. He was smili

" I whispered to the empt

at lunch. I didn't even get up to go to the bathroom. I wanted to show Alex that