h's
my shoulder, forcing me do
d tiles, the dull thud sending a
my ear, her voice cold and unforgiv
agues trying to hold back laughter, and pe
om the heat of shame. I stared at the
here, I was being treated like a dog. My thro
sorry, Mr.
made it pa
s eno
cut clean through the room. Ms. Harlow's hand we
rlow, the look in his eyes sayin
ly handsome face. There was no anger there, only a s
ed. You may go, Ms. H
'd just been struck. "Yes... of cours
ugh her hands trembled enough to betray her composure. For a fleeting secon
of him,"
r a response, she turned
to straighten my uniform, but my fingers fumbled uselessly, refusing to c
ain, my head bowed as the word
ly have memo
ok my head quickly. "No... no, sir. I just–" My v
you working if
aid, nervously scratch
beat. He simply stoo
rian," he s
thoughts into a brief spiral. Why would a
kay," I
her way in, a bright, practiced smile al
ce coated in honey. "I can help you with an
lance at her. His attent
ice edged with ice, "I alread
slipping out of place. Her
loud enough for nearby ears to catch. "Help Mr. Adrian a
th out of me for a moment. It reminded m
nce-over, turned sharply o
guy stepped forward, picked up my thing
he guy, holding my bag tight
between us, till he finally asked, "You are ma
n nodded. "Ye... yes,
child
Lily, my chest tighte
I said
slowly. "O
home to them. I'll find someone else to at
sed, just long enough for his hand t
h me, unexpected and unsettling. My pulse jumped, my breath catc
k card flashed in my mind again-the name SEAN MILLER in gold letters, the woman c
rned and walked straigh
the cracked sidewalk. I didn't notice the shops or the people passing by. Ever
and over. Is it possible there is another ma
th no water to put them out. I was so lost in t
O
side my ear. I gasped, stumbling back in panic as I realized I'
d leaning out. He looked at me like I was a piece of trash. "M
he wind as I clutched my bag tightly and ran tow
the car, slamming the door shut befor
nutes, shaking, and watched hi
smell of old grease mixed with harsh cleaning chemicals. I walked t
opened almos
t, bouncing with pure excitement. Lily stood just behind him,
n grinned, "how
ek and my heart broke into a million pieces just looking at my kids. The
murmured, forcing a
king my heavy bag from me, already trying to act like the
ll be with you guys shortly," I told him, grab
lf-hanging off the side. And there was Sean, standing over a large, expensive-looking
ng at me. He slammed the suitcase sh
ea
olding onto a tiny bit of hope. Praying he wo
face as he sighed loudly and rubbed
o travel tomorrow for a business trip," he said, s
let you know when I can." His voice sounded ju
came back to my head; Just shopp
now Sean was saying he's going on a 'busin
t wa
y Sean a
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