ld an ice pack to Lucas's swollen cheek. He winked slightly but didn't complain. Claire was

nd for a moment, she froze. Another thr

familiar voice called

r face lit with concern. Her caramel-colored curls were tied back in a messy b

thout waiting for an invitation. Her eyes scanned the ro

nod, avoiding her

end's pale, face. "Sophie, what the hell is going on? Mrs. Ramire

'd spent years trying to appear strong, holding her fam

uttered, her voic

ng Sophie's hands in hers. "Stop pretendin

a sob before collapsing into Alicia's arms. The tears came fast and unco

her back soothingly. "It's okay

. "It's always me. Always me trying to fix everything, cle

"You've been carrying too much for too long. You're allowed

of her shirt. Since highschool she had carried everyth

re Claire was hidden in the shadows,

ce sharp despite her tears. "She's n

he guided Sophie back to the couch and sat beside he

ing. The house, the savings-gone. Mom wasn't always like this, but after he left, she just gave up. She started drinking, then the gambling started. An

nd. She also had her issues but it wasn't as tough as So

mething pulls us back down," Sophie continued. "Like tonight." Sh

e the strongest person I know, Sophie. But even the st

licia. The debt collectors... they won't just go away

id firmly. "You've always been there for every

on someone else, the weight of her burdens easing. She now h

, Adrian Steel

her a cup of coffee befo

****

through the windows. This was the only place he allowed him

dening on the mysterious message. The weight of the day hung on him li

s way to his bedroom, ready to go to

****

t under the blanket. At first, he thought it might have been a trick of the light-the city's g

rounded the corner to ge

they

her hair a mess. And beside her, with a smug expression, was none other than E

ating silence. Adrian's fists clenched at his sides, h

s she noticed him standing the

tween her and Ethan, who didn't even bother to look ashamed. Instead, Eth

were a business meeting and not a betrayal of the kind. "Though I ha

tanding out as he fought to contain the storm o

my house," Adrian shouted, his voic

from others, was on his bed with anothe

the sheets to her chest. "Adrian, pl

xactly what it looks like. But don't take it personal. Bu

Ethan retrieve his shirt and shoes with a nonchalant attitude

around,

Nina. She stood, reaching for him, her voice tr

cut through like a whip

back, his voice low and with venom. "Yo

n, ple

. Ou

rabbing her clothes, she rushed out, the sound of t

fists tightened, his nails leaving scars on his palms. The pain hard

o get rid of the bed, befor

ak him, they were wrong. Nina