SIGNED AND SEALED; Still falling

Javier,

, couldn't move. The sound crept under my skin, unsettling and in

c, for anything other than the truth hammering against my ribs. *Javier would n

aurant, a cheap bottle of champagne tucked under my arm. The whole way there I had pictured his smile,

higher than the last. "Javier, I want t

d of skin against skin. "Not until your legs are shaking and you

!" came the cry,

vy with old money and secrets I was never meant to uncover. My steps were slow and hesitant as

ing down his face, unaware of my presence. My knees weakened as I stood in the doorway taking in the scene. Then the wo

My bes

who had sat beside me sobbing at my dress fitting as though she truly fel

completely silent. Then ever

t a strangled gasp and clutched the sheet to her chest, while Javier st

ce trailed off, thick

teady for what I had just witnessed, surprising even me

ir, visibly trembling. "Catalina

t it came out sharp and cruel. "So are

pression shifting from guilt to ir

're cheating on me with my best friend and you expect me

eady falling apart." He paused, letting the words land before readying the next ones. "You're a good pers

ed at him. "And it took you five years to realize I don't

ed," he said, dropping it

en. "What are yo

repeated, with the same ind

of us. You can't cancel it without my consent," I said qu

g on. "It wouldn't have mattered anyway. The only person you invited was Paloma, and she already knows." He paused,

me," I whispered, my lips trem

seeing them for the first time. "Don't remind me of what I said. You're still living paycheck to paycheck. You're a

ing tears from my face w

us. You've always been a good person, but goodness doesn't get you far here. Javier will soon be at the he

ot enough. Too good. The words th

fort worthwhile. But now, standing before the two people I had trusted most in the w

ling beneath me. "You know what?" I said, bar

looking ba

apartment it was already night. The place was small - a single room with a bathroom and kitchen, barely enough for my bed. I closed th

ng for an apology from Paloma or Javier, something to explain that everything

ERDUE. YOU HAVE UNTI

ngers trembling as I held th

at when the phone buzzed again -

T YOUR CONTRACT HAS BEEN TERM

I freelanced for had gone under and was laying off hal

end, and in a few days I would lose my home as well. Before I could stop myself, my knees gave way a

hed under my brea

e last memory I had of my mother came to me, words of encouragement resona

ether, or I would end up on the street - worse off t