ing a perfect circle that would bruise by morning. Her throat closed as she stumbled out of

s with icy water. She barely felt i

promises had wrapped around her like a blanket, whispering of forever, of a future built on m

es

they had dreamed of was gone, lost in a tide of debts Harry had left behind. She saw his f

eavy enough to rattle the cheap wood of the door. Her hand hesi

ed the door, the look in his eyes was anything but kind. A second man stoo

colle

re about the bakery or the ring now tucked in her pocke

ted thei

ed letters screaming across the to

neck, telling her she was going to be the best bakery owner in t

as in

as the noose tighten

, but the men only shook their heads, the taller one smirking as

in touch,

ked shut, the

nking in rhythm with the panic beating in her chest. She clutched the ring to her heart, c

nothing

debt collectors' visits. This time, there was no

e you more t

energy le

her lashes, cold and sharp as the truth she'd been running from. She stood on the sidew

trying to keep herself from unraveling

ty-minute walk, but every step felt like she was dragging chains

bleach, the buzzing overhead light flicker

s she took in Sarah's soaked hair, the bags

s, Sa

Maria's apartment smelled like coffee and vanilla candles, the a

anket, pressed a steaming mug of tea into her shaking hands, and

o-hot spray of the shower until her skin turned pink. She pressed her forehead aga

ng it away with the back of her hand. The woman staring back at her looke

am I

outside, the ticking of the clock on the wall, the sound of her

desperation in their eyes. She handed out resumes at diners, coffee shops, retail stores, but ever

othes, the faint glitter of makeup around her eyes. She never looked tired, only al

he corner and sat beside Sarah on the co

es. Her butterfly tattoo peeked out from under the strap of her dr

e, the red liquid trembli

now what e

but her voice was fir

d up, her stomach t

't have to do anything else. The tip

stinging her eyes. "I can'

her wine. "Your pride isn't

ue, but the words c

down on her. The hunger became a dull ache, a const

pered, her voice h

r the crowd, music pulsing so hard she felt it in her bones. The

ng naked. She stood in the tiny dressing room, staring at herself in

ed behind her, dark eyes

h. They'll tip mo

it felt like her

s while men's eyes followed her, lingering, hungry. Every hand that brushed

oo bright, and the laughter around h

ded the

ded to

sweeth

leaning back, his shirt unbuttoned to reveal a gold chain resting against dark chest ha

ink," he ord

ould let her walk away, but a rough hand shot o

glass shattering, liquid splashing

hand sliding up her thigh, his breath

trying to push him away, but his

ped, her voice lost

arp, cruel. "Everyt

inside h

her palm stung. The shock in his eyes turned to rage as s

bit

ath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. She didn't care about the tray she dropped or the

he night threw at her. But in that moment, with her heart still racing and her ski

ing club atmosphere. She'd never felt so exposed, so desperate to leave. In her rush, she c

she attempted to flee. But before she could get away, a fir

isp white shirt, now damp with the spilled drink. His sharp features and the sharp angles of his

lionaire. A man who was known

moment, she felt exposed-tiny, po