crumpled papers on her coffee table: overdue rent notices, utility bills, and a stark reminder of how precarious her financial

n enga

hat? But then again, Adrian Westbrook wasn't just anyone. He was the kind of man who

s. She glanced at the screen, expecting another email from her landlord

so

she debated ignoring it. But curiosity got

le. Been a while.

hat did he want? Months of silence,

shattered her trust, leaving her to pick up the pieces alone. Now he thought he could just waltz bac

rough, and there was only

your Jason?" Lisa asked, n

They sat in their usual spot in the break room, th

ht. Said he wants to talk,"

ebrows furrowed. "And you'r

.. curious. I mean, why now?

man is a walking red flag. He treated you like garbage. Remember how

harming one moment and cruel the next. She'd tried rebuilding herself aft

ixed on the table. "But what if he's chan

change. They just get better at hiding their bullshi

d. Lisa's words made sense, but part of her c

message. She'd been debating all day whether to respond, and the indec

at do you w

came almos

Just to talk. I'll

Against her better ju

orrow evening. Sam

ir usual corner, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea. Jason walked in, his presence commanding the room in a wa

ming as he slid into the seat acros

r walls firmly in place. "Let's ski

he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I know I messed up. And I don't expect y

pticism clear. "Oh, really? An

est thing that ever happened

sincerity in his tone. But she wasn't a

to me. Over and over again," she said, her voice

a fool, Camille. I didn't appreciate what I had until it was gone. I'm

n. "Apology accepted," she said finally, her tone guarded.

I just... I hope we can at least b

n's apology had seemed genuine, but could she really trust him? Her p

age from an u

t, Camille. Not every

words. The air in her apartment felt