y

. And that had to count for something. I turned and started running, legs aching,

ad. I had no idea how long I'd been running-felt like hours. My clothes clung to me, soaked in sweat, fe

power was out there. Because I should've been dead. But I wasn't. And that meant I still had a chance. I had just enough money left to pay for a room at the dingy motel. The receptionist didn't ask a

d ceiling, replaying every brutal second of the day. The assault. The betrayal. Chrissy's name still rang in my ears like a curse. I whis

e time, but she was perched on one of Smith's expensive velvet chaises, sipping red wine like she owned the place. Like she

e." She ended the call and, without missing a breath, dialed another number. This time, she said something that would chill anyone to their bones: "Finish those fools tonight.

on her barely-there baby bump, and whispered, "We did it, baby. No one can stop us now." In her mind, she had already taken my place. B

a cheap breakfast and asked the front desk for something-anything-to wear. They sent me a wrinkled pair of jeans and an oversized blouse. I cleaned myself up in that sad little bathroom. Brushed my teeth with my finger. Splashing water on my face felt like wiping off the last layer of w

g to be the perfect daughter. I sacrificed everything-love, peace, even a chance at motherhood-just to prove myself to her. And she sold me like livestock. No. She wasn't escaping this. And Chrissy? She was going to feel the full weight of what she did

d dreams. He was going to pay. And I wanted every single past salary, bonus, and recognition I was owed. I had receipts-literal ones. Emails. Project

aughed bitterly, the sound sharp and cold in the quiet room. No. I wasn't going to storm

rtfolio. All my work was for Swebb-and unpaid at that. On paper, I was invisible. I checked job boards on a cracked motel tablet. Nothing fit.

. I walked downtown, asking every diner, every fast food joint. Mos

t tightening. "What's going on?" I asked. No one replied. So I pushed forward, wove through the peopl

were wide, brimming with silent tears. And everyone just... stood there. Mouths movin

t hit. The gun fell. The boy ran. Gasps exploded around me. The thief

heat tore through my shoulder. My body jerked back. I hit the pavement. Everythin