Falling for Forbidden

crisp, but the cold within her ran deeper. She had spent the last hour searching for jobs, her f

on email af

Rent was due in two weeks, and with her tuition fee

bbing her temples. The exhaustion wasn't just physical; it was the

er mind drifted back to a ti

ter filling the warm summer air. Her mother had been in the kitchen, humming a

alled out, feigning frustration.

traight into her father's arms, giggli

attack one day," he had teased, h

e sound of their voices. The fe

lost. She could still hear her mother's screams, still see her

he memory. Her phone buzzed on the tabl

before answe

oice on the other end wa

es

come in today. There are matters regarding your

Her fathe

aware there was

require your attention. Plea

sk anything furthe

nd indifferent-much like the man who

d back, his suit impeccable. But it wasn't him who mad

r Ald

alculation. His presence dominated the room, his tailored suit and effortless confide

were an insect he could cru

id smoothly, his voice carrying an unsettling

r jaw. "He neve

hair. "That's the thing about the dea

, but she kept her face unr

dridge is here as an interested party in

this man. There was something dark beneath

discuss with you,"

ou'll keep that stubborn attitude, Miss Le

ut of the office with her head held high. But

to shake off the conversation. The whispers hadn't stopped. I

she's bett

ng for another guy t

e them, but then she collid

bled to t

wasn't payi

und herself staring

ir and a sharp but kind face. He bent down, gath

, flashing a polite s

. She wasn't us

m f

s if deciding whether to belie

ma

a, I'll see

ike that,

to the women's bathroom,

e first. Then th

f it isn't the

ing against the sink, arms crossed. Two other girls

Liliana continued, her smile sharp.

play this game. "I wasn't talk

Here's some advice, sweet

ook away. "And whe

ession darkene

ls shoved Amara backward. She hit the

e they finally left, leaving her standin

r, at the girl who refused to brea

ld surv

no other