Love in a Circle

I jolted awake to the sound of fists pounding on my front door. My heart raced as I glanced at the clock—6:30 AM. Who could it be at this ungodly hour?

"Sarah Jenkins! Open up! We know you're in there!"

The gruff voice sent a chill down my spine. I recognized it immediately—Jack Thornton, the debt collector who'd been hounding me for weeks. I pulled the covers over my head, wishing I could disappear into the threadbare fabric.

But the knocking persisted, each thud a relentless reminder of the mess my life had become. With a groan, I dragged myself out of bed, my bare feet hitting the cold hardwood floor. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror—disheveled brown hair, dark circles under my hazel eyes. I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.

"I'm coming!" I croaked, my voice hoarse from disuse. I threw on a ratty bathrobe and shuffled to the door, steeling myself for the confrontation.

I opened the door a crack, the chain still in place. Jack Thornton's bulldog face glared at me through the gap, his partner looming behind him.

"Mrs. Jenkins," he growled, "you've been avoiding us."

I swallowed hard. "I-I've been busy. Look, I told you, I need more time—"

"Time's up, sweetheart," he sneered. "Your husband left quite a mess behind, and it's time to pay up."

My late husband, David. My chest tightened at the thought of him. He'd been gone for six months, but the pain was still raw. And now, I was drowning in the debt he'd left behind.

"Please," I begged, hating the desperation in my voice. "I'm trying to sell the house. I'll have the money soon, I promise."

Jack's partner, a weaselly man named Frank, piped up. "We've heard that before. Either you pay up now, or we start taking collateral."

My eyes widened in panic. "You can't do that! That's illegal!"

Jack's laugh was cold. "You'd be surprised what we can do, Mrs. Jenkins. Your husband borrowed from some... let's say, unorthodox lenders. They're not known for their patience."

I felt the blood drain from my face. What had David gotten himself into?

"I-I need to make some calls," I stammered. "Can you give me until the end of the day?"

The two men exchanged glances. Finally, Jack nodded. "You've got until 5 PM. Not a minute later. And if you try to run..." His unfinished threat hung in the air.

I nodded quickly and shut the door, sliding down to the floor as soon as the lock clicked into place. My whole body was shaking. How had it come to this?

I allowed myself a moment of weakness, hot tears streaming down my cheeks. But only a moment. I couldn't afford to fall apart now.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up and walked to the kitchen. The house felt cavernous and empty without David. Every corner held a memory, now tainted by the revelation of his secrets.

I put on a pot of coffee, my one remaining luxury. As the rich aroma filled the air, I tried to think. Who could I turn to? My friends had their own financial struggles, and I'd already borrowed more than I could repay. My parents were retired, living on a fixed income. And David's family...

I shuddered at the thought of asking them for help. They'd made it clear at the funeral that they blamed me for David's death. As if I could have prevented his heart attack.

The coffee maker beeped, startling me out of my thoughts. I poured a cup, the warmth seeping into my cold hands. Think, Sarah, think.

I walked to the living room, my eyes landing on the photos on the mantel. David and I on our wedding day, both of us beaming with hope for the future. How naive we'd been.

Next to it, a photo of David with his parents and sister. My in-laws had never approved of me, the struggling artist who'd stolen their son's heart. But maybe...

No. I couldn't ask them. The humiliation would be unbearable.

I sipped my coffee, pacing the room. There had to be a way out of this mess. I could sell my car, but that wouldn't even make a dent in what I owed. My jewelry? Already pawned, except for my wedding ring.