tant reminder of Caleb's stillness. Her brother lay unconscious, his fragile body hooked up to tubes and wires, trappe

o hours since she left his office, but his words still echoed in her mind, louder than the sounds of the hospital

e had been juggling her brother's medical bills, her part-time job, and the mounting debt from the hospital,

sed on her chest like an iron band. She couldn't let Caleb down. She would do anything to ge

he silence. It was a message

w's Caleb?

g a quick response before setting her phone do

leted her message. Amelia had enough worries of her

e time. 3:00 a.m.

s suffocating, but she had no choice. She couldn't keep scrambling for small jobs and hoping f

o give up something she wasn't sure

e grabbing her coat and heading out of t

-

ier hours of her decision. Her hands were clammy, her heart pounding as she made her way into the sleek, marble-lade

work for Nathan Cole-CEO, billionaire, and c

ity. As the doors opened, Clara stepped out into the

windows, his silhouette outlined by the morning sun,

idea what to expect, but she wasn't ready

k at her as s

t," Nathan said, his

forming in her thro

chin in a silent show of defia

raising an eyebrow.

No corners cut. I won't sign anything unless I know every cent of

were deciding whether or not to respect her audacity

ce barely above a whisper. "I want Su

ckly for her to be sure. "You're asking for time off after signing a contract

is gaze. "I have a life outside of here,

ture of amusement and something darker. Finally, he gave

h she still wasn't sure if she

ather-bound folder was waiting for her.

promised. A few clauses stood out to her, but none that she could

ith a steady hand, and Na

ght," he said f

inked. "

on't like

-

n to her as a different world. It was cold and sleek, everything designed for opu

s voice void of any wa

niture and glass walls. The only thing she could focus on w

er down a long hallway. His steps were deliberate, calcul

g you need inside," he said, turning on

rest of the place-everything was immaculate, but it didn't feel like home. She set her b

as signed. The

ere was no

-