ie'
. She was the owner of the apartment I was renting and she loved taking care of my daug
your unit and Thraia said you didn't come
I saw Mrs. Parker's countless missed calls
dn't imagine what would've happened
d, mommy. I thought you disappeared.] Her innocent
"I'm sorry. And no, I
ed on my own. I also braided my hair like you always do,
ig girl now and mommy is so proud of you. But momm
responded happily before I he
on my way home now. Can you l
ishing her breakfast.
outside again. "Yes. T
g. The noises were too loud even when I was ins
ng to ease the pain. I shut my eyes tight and
nt. I panicked when I saw the school bus coming, so I quickly
when she saw me. Behind her was Mrs
wearing my eyeglasses, but I kneeled in front of Thraia
ssed my cheeks as I
w you work hard for me.
at. Mommy loves you so much, and that's why I work hard. I want
in and nodded.
ked at her. My little sunsh
the waiting school bus. I waved at her as the bus
ened to you. I reported to the police early in the morning, but they said t
an apologetic smile. "Something came up last
slowly. "It
g the back of my neck. The
t long since I...? Did sex usually leave you
tice my collar slipping unti
her gaze fixed just below
unmistakable mark stood out against my skin-
ght laugh. "I'm running late for work-gotta
Leaning close to the mirror, my stomach dropped. It wasn't just my neck. Bruises and
vampire? Wh
hinged. Thank God I'
us never m
ing concealer over every trace he'd left behind. T
d out, Mrs. Parker w
breakfast," she said, handing me a wrap
outright, but she'd come to treat Thraia and me like family. Over the
I said, meeting her eyes
Her voice held a note of hesitation. "I know it's not my place,
as I reached for the elevator button. It wasn'
forcing a smile. "I can
d. "I know you're strong and capable, Rosie. But... if the
he just gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm not judging you. I just... hate s
steady. "But I appreciate your concern. I promise-if there ever co
ring in her eyes. Finally, she sighed
d open just then. "I s
. Take
*
ist for new glasses. Without them, I couldn't work efficie
caught pieces of hushed conversation from
CEO? My friend in HR said
d, they say
frown as the two women in
rs had been swirling that his godson woul
s morning. Though honestly, they said
f them giggled, lowering her voice. "Imagi
softly, while I le
my workload wouldn't increase too much-otherwi
the executive floors. When the doors slid open again
end. My only frie
thed out when she saw me. "I couldn't re
I said. "Am I la
the new CEO is in. He asked for h
d towards the CEO office. Smoothing down my blouse
, always poised. But when I saw the ma
a physical force. My heart hammered, and a feeling I'd tri
run from s
Rock
end-and now,
/1/117711/coverbig.jpg?v=37182dbb8041547ac77430aaeb39c421&imageMogr2/format/webp)