o's

I stood drenched in the entryway. I wasn't expecting a

ould

ursem

nds

ley? I gasped in shock as my heart fluttered at the thought of him. We hadn't spoke since my graduatio

face as I made my way into the house. I pushed past the unsettling feeling that

me of the man standing by the window was vaguely familiar, but wasn'

said flatly, her voice br

ed. I staggered, my breath catching in my throat, and I almost

let alone breathe. I couldn't help but notice the precision of his tailored suit, the way

r than the infamous, ruthless CEO whose

this was no ordinary man; he was a force of nature. A sense of dread settled in the pit of my st

speak. "W-what are you doing here?" I as

ce overwhelming. He stepped forward,

is voice deep and commanding. "I'm s

a silent invitation or rath

n my ow

lp to you?" I asked

of any of the venom she had shown at the graves

ggling to keep up. "What kind of bus

led with weariness and something

money from Mr Russo several years ago.

weren't rich, but they weren't poor either. They had no reason to borro

on unreadable. She continued, "The money was used to sponsor your educati

ed, shaking my head again. "That can't be true. My education

ice laced with a cold amuse

y eyes widened in disbelief. "Ten... million?" I stammered, ba

ome sort

huge amount of money? They wouldn't

and oppressive. My mind raced, try

ch word precise, as if he were delivering a death sentence. "And in t

the wall. With trembling hands, I flipped through the pages until I foun

th was

, a gasp escaping my lips. I slowly turned to face Russo

. Give me some time, I'll find a way to pay you bac

devoid of pity. "They had enough time

in. My parents had left me not only with the crushing grief of their los

ken. "There has to be something els

ng me. "There is," he said after a long p

my b