h's

my shoulder, forcing me do

d tiles, the dull thud sending a

my ear, her voice cold and unforgiv

agues trying to hold back laughter, and pe

om the heat of shame. I stared at the

here, I was being treated like a dog. My thro

sorry, Mr.

made it pa

s eno

cut clean through the room. Ms. Harlow's hand we

rlow, the look in his eyes sayin

ly handsome face. There was no anger there, only a s

ed. You may go, Ms. H

'd just been struck. "Yes... of cours

ugh her hands trembled enough to betray her composure. For a fleeting secon

of him,"

r a response, she turned

to straighten my uniform, but my fingers fumbled uselessly, refusing to c

ain, my head bowed as the word

ly have memo

ok my head quickly. "No... no, sir. I just–" My v

you working if

aid, nervously scratch

beat. He simply stoo

rian," he s

thoughts into a brief spiral. Why would a

kay," I

her way in, a bright, practiced smile al

ce coated in honey. "I can help you with an

lance at her. His attent

ice edged with ice, "I alread

slipping out of place. Her

loud enough for nearby ears to catch. "Help Mr. Adrian a

th out of me for a moment. It reminded m

nce-over, turned sharply o

guy stepped forward, picked up my thing

he guy, holding my bag tight

between us, till he finally asked, "You are ma

n nodded. "Ye... yes,

child

Lily, my chest tighte

I said

slowly. "O

home to them. I'll find someone else to at

sed, just long enough for his hand t

h me, unexpected and unsettling. My pulse jumped, my breath catc

k card flashed in my mind again-the name SEAN MILLER in gold letters, the woman c

rned and walked straigh

the cracked sidewalk. I didn't notice the shops or the people passing by. Ever

and over. Is it possible there is another ma

th no water to put them out. I was so lost in t

O

side my ear. I gasped, stumbling back in panic as I realized I'

d leaning out. He looked at me like I was a piece of trash. "M

he wind as I clutched my bag tightly and ran tow

the car, slamming the door shut befor

nutes, shaking, and watched hi

smell of old grease mixed with harsh cleaning chemicals. I walked t

opened almos

t, bouncing with pure excitement. Lily stood just behind him,

n grinned, "how

ek and my heart broke into a million pieces just looking at my kids. The

murmured, forcing a

king my heavy bag from me, already trying to act like the

ll be with you guys shortly," I told him, grab

lf-hanging off the side. And there was Sean, standing over a large, expensive-looking

ng at me. He slammed the suitcase sh

ea

olding onto a tiny bit of hope. Praying he wo

face as he sighed loudly and rubbed

o travel tomorrow for a business trip," he said, s

let you know when I can." His voice sounded ju

came back to my head; Just shopp

now Sean was saying he's going on a 'busin

t wa

y Sean a