marble floors with sharp, echoing clicks. Each step reverberat

tless drumbeat. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, leaving small, cresc

uttered through gritted teeth, her

dislodge the bitter thoughts swirling inside her. "But why am I even wasting energy on this?" she snapped at herself, feeling

squinted at the room number printed on it. The receptionist had clearly said the fifth room on the 15th floor. Yet, the card in her hand read the

ouded with exhaustion but tinged with genuine warmth. Could it be that she was simply overworked, strug

, her expression softening briefly. "But who k

to attend to. Problems that weighed heavily on her heart. "Julia told me to keep my cool and foc

before the door, her heart hammered against her ribs like a frantic bird trapped in a cage. Her hand trem

each more horrifying than the last. A lone tear welled up, escaping down her cheek before landing on her h

teeled herself. Summoning every ounce of courage she had left, she raised her hand and rapped on the door. Silence. She knocked agai

inside: warm, smooth, and entirely

hed it down and nudged the door open, stepping cautiously into the room. Her

trying to keep her voice steady d

ce responded casually. "

g in the surroundings with growing awe. The opulence stunned her. Plush carpeting that her

of luxury she had never known, a world that was light-years away from her reality. Her gaze

she had to remind her

ulia's advice. "Do what you need to do and l

he bed's edge. It cradled her weight like a warm embr

must be wealthy, just like Barry described." Closing her eyes briefly, she offe

fumbled to pick it up, her heart racing as she read the ne

ped back, sidestepping

s passed before Ju

state. The doctor is do

ent doesn't deserve this. I'll make sure I get the mo

will,"* Juli

it going ov

d of running water filtering through. "I haven't

ll in the

fear control you,"*

d, rereading

oin him? If it'll help him

ing as she awaited the response. Finally

ou're there for the money, not any

gered. "Are you sure that's right?"* she press

ame firm and unwavering. "S

down. "I can do this," she murmured to herself, r

naire. "Hello, do you mind if I join you?" Her

the immediate re

right then," she answered, grateful he h

Bennett?" the man asked, h

ett?" Ava ec

he replied, irritation seeping into h

name? No, I don't think so. What if I tell him my real identity? Will he

he barked impatient

uh..." she stammered, strugg