The Man She Hated

shot her way earlier that day. Her mind was racing with everything that had happened-especially that wild stor

guy, picking a girl like me over some high-society princess?

ilks and jewels, driving her away from their tiny apartment in a fancy car to a real home-a mansion full of flowers, gl

g with tears. She wasn't crying for herself,

e to the scaffolding at the corner construction site, where piles of bricks balanced overhead. Fair had

nd her-panicked, urgent.

cracked. Brick

be?-or maybe just a warning.

g arm yanked

in split through her head and blood began to ru

without a second thought. One of the falling planks smacked

epped off a plane. A sleek black car idled nearby, its

slower, Fair would've bee

y limp, blood trickling. Her face

over. A crow

thankfully-w

. Someone ran out of a nearby store with water and a rag

he muttered, "but no

head, Fair stirred. She let out a s

u're lucky," he said kindly. "Thi

e was pale, holding his shoulder,

old the doctor, grimacing. "Tri

ed, guilt hitting her

dded. "Let's

man's shoulder right there on the street. He di

ward his car, but then turned bac

ng lady into the car

em like a burden-but her legs were sh

reciate it," sh

the luxurious car, beside the stranger

a small smil

tnut and 9th. The old brick building on

ot hit in the head and nearly cru

it all the time. I have to.

with calm, steady eyes. Then, with a faint smile,

for the record-I'm just a sewing

n she'd said her address earlier. Mayb

looked at her with quiet interest. "You l

. "It's just me and Mom now. She

s briefly. Fair guessed the

ront of her building. When he opened his eyes, he caught her looking an

you're okay?"

u-you're in pain. I can see it. And I just-I reall

pened. The dri

and as he said, "I'm just glad I got there in time