ear

's

ne-bedroom wooden apartment, scanning

nowhere t

he didn't seem to care that he had lef

away the endless stream of t

ft, he wouldn't hav

t have los

ia

les call f

she grabbed my hand, dragging

p-it's y

art p

asked breathlessly, but J

street until we reached the b

or as I saw several men

ce was

Sie?!"I yelled, r

get close, someon

ther, their fists landing on him like h

ss

my voice hoarse, b

t even ack

y finally pushed him to t

ed beside hi

my fists clenched so tightl

ld they

hey treat h

akly, a forced chuck

e, princess.

tand, throwing a

're hurt, Uncle. We should

ther wave

the orphanage, dear. Wh

alking toward me and pul

worry too much, okay?

mall wave befor

to get on his feet an

go home

tep back, clen

im, my voice

all regr

lked away, ignoring

while, I arrived a

s stood outside, crackin

breath, I st

use

urned to l

a brow. "Kid, what

hed h

to file

lau

rents? It's late-y

ccents

eren't

were probably

. "Shouldn't you

's jaw tigh

nish, another offi

, his fair skin illuminated

ed short, and his

struck me

his

othest thing I

are you?"

, momenta

is fingers.

k my head, sna

e a case, then I'll

ore turning h

low

behind him until we

nd gestured for

perts at this job. So, I hope you don't min

row

was s

an intern

o young to be doing thi

ghtly before p

at's your

ut realized I

nly one will

eep breath

a case against

jotting dow

ntin

ter and husband after me

leaned back

hter's name? And

oat ti

ider. She'

aped, but I quick

ind bars. I wan

for a moment b

nt some ad

n't r

ed my mothe

nd begged her

hadn't

uch so that she abandoned her own

oke through

uld be bailed out the next day. And

Then what do

smi

r regret

ed in c

a household gossip. Then, she will come c

forward

d looking desperate, w

rom my chai

a mistake talki

only

one. I know a sta

g gaze lock

ing that in ten years, you'll be famous.

ched m

bandons her child? I w

the documents I had

aken by child support? Yo

iffe

ed in an

hated th

d no f

dn't g

irk re

t me hear your na

y eyes, but I

s steady as

will be a star. I will be bigger than

with approval.

ve but then pau

is your in

fter that, I

huc

o talk? I like how you kee

gri

ight, little one.

him before

tely coming