on a gentle, probing tone. "Sara, can you tell me why you left Franklin's

face. She felt a surge of discomfort as she realized he was enjoying her discomfort.

ad slipped under the table, his fingers wrapping around her thigh. Sara's eyes widened i

rip tightening like a vice. Sara flinched, her body jerking away from the painf

n a crushing grip. Sara's eyes darted to Nova, hoping against hope that she would notice something w

to the room, carrying a tray with two steaming cups of coffee. Sara's eyes lit up with a

t out, grabbing one of the cups. Before anyone could react, s

hed onto his lap, and Nova's eyes widened in shock.

elping Mr. Franklin to get down his horniness," she said, her words drippi

Your company may be big, but you're stupid. You're marrying this man, who thinks every girl is his toy, just bec

"I don't think I'll be needing this job after all," she said, her voice dripping with

nd walked out of the office, leaving Nov

*

d a thousand miles away. The disappointment and frustration of the job int

and insistent. She hesitated for a moment before answering, her he

ng to sound cheerful despite

d strict. "How are you, dear? I was just thinking ab

It's going, Mom," she said vaguely. "I've had a

u can't find one, then you'll have to come back home. And if you come back h

uitable husband? Chosen by her parents, without h

yet," Sara said, trying to keep

an't take care of yourself, then you'll have to come back home and let

r mother would not be swayed, that she would do everythi

, trying to sound res

m you soon. If you don't have a job, then you'll be coming home. A

ther was still trying to control her life, still trying to dictate her every move. The though

ught to herself, feeling a surge of frustration and ang

her mother had made it clear that she had no choice but to come back home and

f desperation creeping in. "I don't want to go back home

*