The Man She Hated

it r

where the car disappeared. If it weren't for the stinging cut on her temple,

She let out a shaky breath, wiped at her eyes, and turned toward home-a worn-down, depressing building she

little table sat in the corner with a white cloth she always made sure to keep spotless. On it, her mom had

eyes, faded smile-but still beautiful in that soft, haunting way. The kind of wo

ll. But instead of the usual cheerful burst of en

's voice caught

s wet and clinging to her face, a long

d up, panicke

d sound, stumbled forward, and colla

'd nearly died, how a stranger had saved her, how she hadn't

d. "If that man hadn't stepped in-God, I wish I cou

ow. I didn't think he'd want to

. "Didn't want praise or attention. But still, I'

r cheeks flushed.

inked. "Yo

said quickly. "He didn't te

You didn't even ask his n

her head sl

to tell me he saved your life, and you ju

r," Fair shot back, eyes flashi

. For all his heroics, he hadn't acted like he c

try to flirt a little after saving a girl's life. Especially a pretty one like you. It felt l

ous, polite, detached-it wasn't the way someone looks when they want to see you again. Still, she coul

even flinch from the blood. How he'd looked at her

d her name. Hadn't

old him she was a factory gir

staring up at the ceiling in the dark, replaying everything. Th

nd over, s

more important-maybe this story

ispered int

was mine, I'd never ask