ilding. It was past closing hours, and the streets were softer now-less noise, fewer people. She

ng, and her mind wandered far from the busy

iled, just

er months of silence and slammed doors, she had found a way in-even if she didn't kn

down the steps w

d up her spi

black car parked acros

ag

man who had taken her hope and trampled on it the day he pretended

hers, and his

, pushing himself off the car. "The l

reply. She

ittle stunt would land you a real job, did you? Sl

d. She didn't want to give him the

roke," he sneered. "Guess you

did, she felt it-a hand. Rough and uninvited,

fr

ou're something special," he gr

und and slapped him across the face

she shouted, her voice

twisted in rage

the scene, watching curiously, but when Derrick raised his

e scoffed. "Girls l

her breath, but the crowd

ickly, shoulders s

ad belie

~~

TMENT BU

he closed the door, dropped her bag, and leaned against the

idn't

woul

and stepped into the bathtub. The warmth surrounded her like a fragile shield.

es pa

e ho

itchen. She boiled water, made a bowl of instant noodles, and sat at the counter in silence

er phone and ca

ce was weak but

w are you

he said gently. "H

ht." She said. "I hope you

y baby." Her

lth, the little flowers growing on the balcony. Ayla never

ne by her side, and slowly drifted into sleep,

~~

T THE

s office. His tailored suit was sharp as always, his steps measu

e stood right i

ro

a of practiced elegance. She stood like she belong

you before you left," sh

she leaned in and kissed

back. Briefly.

away, something in

my call," she sai

glancing toward his offi

li

el like answering. He just couldn't tell

sible lint off his sleeve. "

been w

smiled anyway, slipping her arm through his

ed. "Al

rs, Killian's reflection caught h

ked pe

. Powerf

people expe

rom the other day-her eyes downcast, her voice steady

... dif

re, working in his company when she

her presence hadn'

hadn't sat w

ontinue