Heart Of A Destitute

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ame one I'd visited countless times during my high school years, loomed before me.

idening in surprise when she sa

sped, struggling to catch my breat

pression a mix of concern an

"It's a long story. Can we just... can we just forget a

ng a bottle of wine. "Julian, what's goi

ease, just let it go. Let's celebrate ton

"Alright," Ana said, sitting beside me. "But yo

for their underst

my return to New York and a way to reconnect after twelve years apart. They had insi

my body start to ease. For one night, I could forget about my father's dying wish,

flashing in time with the beat. It was a boisterous environment, filled with laughter and

ted over the music, raising her

ine echoed, clinking

To us, and to old friends," I said, tryin

ey flirted shamelessly, their eyes lingering on us a little too long. Norm

ong before we were all drunk, our laughter turning louder and more uninhibited. I c

d dark hair and a brooding intensity in his eyes. Unlike the others,

. Ana and Celine were too far gone to notice, their attention focused on the men who

d us, his eyes scanning the situation. "You shouldn't be here

ng to process his word

looking to take advantage of you

d began to lead me out of the bar. The men who had been eye

one of them shouted,

dark-haired man said,

outnumbered, the man fought them off, his movements swift and precis

ssion softening. "Come on,

Ana and Celine, who were now surrounded by a group of men. I hoped they

d us. He guided me to his car and helped me inside before driving us to hi

o the bathroom. "You need to get cleaned up," he

the shower, letting the warm water wash away the grime and the memories

myself off. I pulled on the T-shirt, which hung loo

ou can sleep here," he said, his voice soft. "

asked, my eyes

replied. "Get some rest,

ok me, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of r

bed. The room was unfamiliar, and I was half-naked, wearing nothing but a large T-shirt

with simple furniture and a few personal touches. There were books on a shelf,

f coffee and a plate of toast. He smiled when he saw I was awake. "Good morni

racing. "Where am I? Wh

oss from me. "You had a bit too much to drink, and things got a l

r, the men, the fight. I remembered Michael steppin

y. "I don't know what would have h

're welcome. I couldn't just stand by a

armth soothing my nerves. "What a

said. "They seemed to be handling themselves,

hoped they were okay. I would need

me," I heard m

ed with concern. "Do you remember

I looked down at my hands, the memories of my

nd he wants me to marry someone to secure my place as his

orry you're going through this. If you need someone

s prickling at the corners of my eyes. "Thank

ng," he replied gently. "Just

elt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to navigate thro