Framed By My Husband's Love

ind-faced woman with tired eyes, called out from down the hall,

e Maria, a silent accusation in her eyes. I could feel it, a bu

slim envelope. "Here's your pay, Ryan. Don't be late tomorrow." The crinkle

gut. Every cent was accounted for, a tight

d around my arm. Katherine. Her grip wa

eading, filled with a guilt I didn't want to see.

Annamarie, who stood a few feet behind her, his head still bowed. Hope

ed her fingers from my arm, one by one. The

t I need," I said, my

s, filled with a mixture of helplessness and frustration, mirrored a

ed every ounce of my focus. Survival was a full-time job. I had alre

, partitioned off a communal living space, barely more than a closet. On rainy days, the ceiling leaked, forming dark, spreading stains on the thin ma

oppressive gloom. I was exhausted, every muscle screaming in protest. I kicked off my shoes, too tired to even light

, a

y first thought was the landlord, demanding rent a day e

door. I unlatched it, pulling it open just a crack

arm, his hand resting protectively over her visibly rounded stomach. They stood out like exotic birds in

into the past they belonged to. But Jace was quicker. He slip

around, his nose crinkling in distaste, his hand rising to cover his mouth an

aid, his voice smooth, almost r