r

fe of insecurity. And guess what? You brought it upon yourself," my

the threat as it shook, shifting slig

ention to the window. Beyond the glass l

trange calm

ned and built from the ground up, r

y dreams. My

someone of m

r Pembroke, a name with obligations,

our life is over!" she snappe

n't talk to me like that. I've tolerated enoug

, why would I even

I heard footsteps outsid

up, cutting off whatever sava

nd Mark walked in,

et confidence, taking the se

involuntary smirk. At least she was someone who kn

, unsuspecting girl into the suffoc

. We just need to go over the basics of the agreement. I've decide

rise, there was no trace of her usual d

," she sa

onestly," I said, "The name I carry-I can'

and I'll let you have wha

't want trouble either," Aria rep

her, silent but watchful, as though she wer

t it risky that you don't know anything about her? This is real life, Grant. This girl

hed into her bag and thrust a nea

t her for a moment before

eepening in confusion before he finally appr

mary of her background, educat

she had a degree but had dr

gan, but Aria cut

need to know. There's a police report and a criminal background che

ing to the police report page. He scanned the QR code

his throat, and muttered, "Well, it's all

crutinizing the compilation as if

Aria. Pulling out the contra

out hesitation, she signed and passed the document back to me. I signed

Aria said, rummagi

iding the co

act out of sig

asked, he

s already out, the screen glowing as

" she said, st

shutter clicks filled the room. Leaning ba

ing pictures?"

h a satisfied smile. "These are go

an eyebro

she said matter-of-factly, then glanced up a

rabbed my phone from the desk and started navigating

posted photo: me looking confused while Aria smile

was a simple

urned to Mark with a sly grin. "And stop reading our private chats. I'm goi

Aria flashed a winning smile, blew me a p

d, shakin

s voice. "You just signed yourself up for a handful

replied, sti

vacated, his expression turning seri

an?" I asked, l

ymore-you choose it. It's like you deliberately pick the hardest, messies

you on your way home ye

!" Mark