pte

ella

, pounding headache followed, throbbing in my skull with each heartbeat. My body felt like lead, too heavy to move. The air smelled of

in a h

rm. Ashley. The doctor. The fear in his eyes when he spoke abo

pinning. I gripped the thin hospital sheets, my fingers curling into the fabric

med too familiar with delivering bad news. His smile was polite but forced, the kind of smile peo

voice was calm, too neutral, like he was trying

hy. "Where's my sister?" The words ca

s being monitored. But right n

drop. "Me? What'

holding. "You collapsed due to extreme stress and exhaustion. W

hort-lived. Something about his

t you need to rest. You're severely exhausted, Isabella. I

n option. I needed to work. I needed to make money for Ashley's surger

y voice cracking. "I need to w

lot of pressure, but pushing yourself to the point of

s right, but it didn't make it easier. I

heets. I didn't have a choice. I had to keep goin

overnight for observation. If your condition improves, you can leave tomor

ak. I didn't know how to take it eas

my chest, trying to hold myself together. I was so tired. Tired o

break down. Not when As

breaths. I needed to get out of here. I

h a warning to rest. But rest wouldn't p

and unforgiving. My mind was spinning, trying to figure ou

I hear

tal entrance, their voices carryi

," one of them giggled. "T

h caught

," the other girl scoffed. "Still

rd. It echoed in my mind,

ward them. "Excuse me.

me in judgment. "You wanna work there?

hesitation. Desperation

at Station Street. A

k you before rushing o

y with alcohol and sweat, laced with cheap perfume. I felt out of place, vulnerable, but I p

air approached me, his eyes cold and

trying to look c

ed in a cl

t I can

smirk. "We need a girl

interview. No que

, their eyes lingering too long, their hands reaching out, bold and

on the money. I couldn't afford to care about

it ha

, grabbed me. His grip was rough, his

eart," he slurred,

rough me, cold and sha

over. I shov

he floor. The music seemed to pau

s feet, his face twiste

e manager stormed over. "W

e red with anger. "She pushed

eyes narrowed.

begged, my voice cracking. "I n

t care.

opened my mouth to beg again, but

d money,

in a suit, his eyes

e. Satisfy the right men, an

I took the card, m

f I'd never

did I

I knew I was runn