softly against Sia's eyelids. She did not wake abruptly; she simply opene

child. Her breath came shallow and uneven, the sleep of someone wh

ose q

ed, dressed, tied her hair in a neat low ponytail

fort, her hard work, her sacrifice. She paid the rent. She paid the utilities. She boug

ved supporting a lover was love. She believe

rstood b

not giving

knowing wha

at up, rubbing her eyes. "

ing a steaming cup on th

eepily. "You are

rned a small, u

ahead with the easy familiarity of someone who b

door and pocketed the ke

s stop. Sia stood still and watched her go, the figure

he corner, Sia turned and walked

meet anyone. She wa

paper and polished floors filling the air.

. Moore, you are requesting to create a new priva

eady. "No linked cards. No online

ttle surprised. "So only

act

e sought c

ught c

drain her slowly. Small withdrawals, small swipes, a sl

this

transfer funds now?

eventy percent of m

changed. Money shifted quietly and invisibl

as not emot

required a

work was c

bution docks. Trucks rumbled, forklifts beeped, documents sh

. Whiteboards marked with shipment routes. The fai

station. A woman in her late fifties with sof

you are ea

gently. "

ftened. "You have so

ent, then nodded. "I

pry. "Good. Chang

ly in the room, li

g customs reports, and answering freight emails. She

the office d

look

walked

n. Not

am

slightly proud smile, like a man who belie

you home. You did not

olitely. "I

pecting warmth. "You

ot offer

mply d

he smallest crack bef

You will make

e it

eated li

smoothing

, I will go

an nodde

outside. Ad

but there was space now,

een thinking. Maybe I will stop working. I can support

d not

believed that

ew it was

d. "You should continue workin

issively. "Why stress? You wil

hed the c

rned h

his, warm b

make enough

ght ch

ving him behind for a br

is that suppo

calm and final, "I am le

ind s

gh

o

elf. "I am simply returning