of her family, and shelves are lined with books. Little kitchen opening in the living room, with a smell of lavender from the potted plants on the w

d with mirrors, and a basin, it was good enough for her. Taking a warm bath and allowing it to wash away fatigue, she spread a fresh t

for her tote bag off the wall hook. She sighed

lattering carts, and the odd bark of a dog winding through its throng. Fresh, ripe, and earthy-smelling baked bread, fruits, a

Mr. Tupper stacking nea

Lila, although her mind had a

et thoroughfares leading into the market square, and her heart

ale faces and streaked by tears, with a group of men surrounding her, one of them a broad-shoulder

es begged, her voice wavering. "I haven't anywher

Time doesn't pay the bills, lady. You've had your n

ng. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, v

own Maria's fa

hirty, with neatly combed dark hair and a cleanly shaven jaw. Expensive and tailored to suit him with an air of authority,

ked ironically. To his team he said,

ow everyone that lives here. You do not belong in Willow's Corner.

t, I'm here to enforce eviction notices. And this woman" he said while point

throw a widow out with her children f

to nose. This land is part of a project that's going to change this place for

, impervious, managed to hold her ground. His

," he

ader Halter because he looked ove

ing for you,"

en I come back, I don't want to find them in that hou

iscontent spread among them. Lila knelt beside Mr

shoulder. "For now, you can stay with me; my grandmother's house h

tears to flow freely. "Thank you, Lila.

a little firmer. She stood and glanced after

people working for Grayson Wolfe. Wolfe Enterprises is the company behin

epeated, not fami

he one behind this project

on the ground. Picking it up, she scanned the bold letters: Wolfe Enterprises. Her hea

r. "Take Ana and Lydia to my h

going to do?" Mrs. J

r was boiling as she climbed inside. "Take me to the city," she said to t

s way over Willow's Corner and its people, he was

he driver, not waiting for the change, and stepped onto the pavement. Her eyes continued to trace the height of the gleaming skyscraper

doors. And lo! It was just as intimidating up there: marble floors, sleek f

re a young receptionist looked up from her computer. "Can

son Wolfe," Lila annou

ave an ap

, b

e receptionist said, offering an apologetic s

ded on her shoulder. "Ma'am," a security guard said, stepping beside he

ned to face him. "You don't

"I am going to have

y. Taking a step back, she scanned the room, her eyes landing on a group of suited

as already slipping into the elevator j

onfused glances. "Who are

Bren