l, Gina had packed up what little remained of her life and left the place that held too many painful memories

e. Through an agent, she found a modest but cozy apartment tucked into a quiet neighborhood. It wasn't much, but it was hers-a blank canvas for a new chapter. The same agen

ed endlessly, and by the time she arrived at her new apartment, night had fallen. Exhausted and starving, Gina d

blocks away when she first visited the neighborhood. With a sigh, she grabbed a pair of pink sweat

er down to the lobby. As she stepped out into the cool night air, sh

uc

h stumbled back, clutching a

ry!" Gina gasped, reac

ark curls out of her face. "It's fine, re

. "Yeah, I just moved

" The warmth in her smile put Gina at ease immediatel

ng. I remembered seeing a cake shop down the street

! That's my shop-I was just heading there to close up. C

. "Seriously? That's so

asily. Layla had a way of making Gina feel like they'd known each other forever. By

nd a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a wink.

rst time in weeks, she felt a little less alone. Eventually, the exhaustion caught up to her,

armly. "Get some rest. You

s, feeling a rare flicker of hope stir in her chest.

-

ing, the hope

body felt weak, her stomach twisting in knots. By the time a sharp

Layla gasped, her eyes wide with c

ed to Layla's car. The city blurred past as

quietly, too exhausted to worry. Layla's presence was a comfort

s expression was unreadable. "Miss Hale," he be

ina's ears, her visio

ed hers tightly. "G

d over her-fear, confusion, disbelief. She barely rem

ly came. She collapsed onto the floor, her

gnant. With

I goin

er entire life. She barely had her own footing-how could she care for a child alon

ent had been simple-money for a night. No strings, no future. J was a man wh

h, a million questions swirling through her mind.

had no answers. Only an impossible decision loomin