nd rang the doorbell twice. After about five minutes of

red under her breath. "I need to

r man appeared, looking completely unbothered. Jessica opened her mouth, read

is chiseled abs and chest hair fully on d

eally? You open the door

moment, something flickered in

ering the pizza?"

ded. "Yes sir, I'm the courier." She handed him the b

he handed her som

ealed sparkling white teeth. "That's for keeping

. I really appreciate it! And... Thank you fo

her bike, but before starting it, curiosity got the better of her

hundred

was more than she'd earned from he

," she whispered, grinning as she

security guard, who was still watching her ride away. Her ch

ed out as she entered, head

m. Why are you grinning lik

ent. "Oh nothing, ma. Just happy

Drop your number-we'll call you when another o

e scribbled down her number, went to cha

e'd seen her grandmother, and her heart ached with longing. She'd stayed away intenti

her. She's all

paid the cabman and headed t

nurse passing by a

s my grandma okay?" Her voice was laced with panic. "Did s

en asking after you, though. You should go in-she'll be relieve

a long breath.

Thank you for taking care

to check on other patients, but once you're do

. "I will. Tha

grandmother's ward. She gently pushed the door open

d in, beaming. "I've

ave you been?" She pulled her into a tight embrace, her hands running over Jess

so much, Grandma. I'm a big girl now. I've just be

u came," her grandmother said, her voi

I got a new job as a pizza delivery

ha

d and twenty dol

idened. "Wow, that's exc

rupted. "But

I'm just... I'm just dead weight, Jessica. I've lived my life. You're young and beautiful, just like your mo

l not let you go. You're all I have

her tightly. "You always taught me to never gi

lied gently, "but a hundred dolla

ightly. "I have more t

. My son-your father-was murdered because he stood up against fraud. They pinned everyth

eyes welle

next day? You're so smart, Jessica. Use that money to go back

ver let you go. I'll do everything I need t

s forehead. "Get some rest.

stepped out of the ward and headed for the doctor's

illion d

felt im

ee the elderly woman walking

should've looked where I was g

nd and hit the floor, her bag's con

quickly, crouching to gather her

help, but Jessica

art sank at the sight of her crack

ver going t

she had gone to her grandmother's pills. She

er shoulders sagging like som

rmed what she already fea

oming, and Jessica needed money fast. Every

irst, but when she turned i

ply... and let