time in days, I allowed myself to relax, just a little. Laura was slicing tomatoes beside me, her face glowing under the dim yellow light a

the way I chopped vegetables

sn't work out," she grinned, nudging my elbow, "you could

kitchen had a swear jar, I'd have alre

eminded me of who I used to be before life turned into this endless loop of fear a

said softly, placing the tomato slices into the sizz

heavily against my chest. Seven hundred thousand dollars. That number haunted my dreams. Every

lacing bets like he was chasing some impo

stirring the pot. "I'm just p

your father, but he's also toxic. You can't

shut before I could. The sound tore through th

heavy footsteps and uneven b

ng my hands on a towel as

, sweat staining the collar. His face was pale, eyes wide and

sked, my voice cauti

kitchen like he didn't hear me, plopping down on th

near the cou

hing." My voice

"I... I went to s

caught in

no De

ts. "Why would you go to h

k to me. "He sent his men to bring

nd? What happened?

le

oked

ad

him so

room

utious step forward. "What do you m

t look at

aug

ng laugh that echoed throug

ng my head. "No. You did

was the only way. He sai

like I'm some pawn on a chessb

. My lungs seized,

listen

de me. "You've ruined everything. You've gambled away money, time, a

pleading. "He's a power

a choice! You jus

hot and fast. I backed away f

, ple

say my name

Cold air hit my face like a slap as I ran down t

s pounded behind

space. I need to get away f

the corner store, doubled over and g

ri

I choked out

ng me into a hug. I clung

ing out," she whispe

dn't bel

devil himself has my na