gainst her ribs. The evening air was thick, pressing down o

ed as she reached

is, Viva., You ca

apped around her, momentarily comforting, before the fear settled back in her chest. Her mother, Monica

urprise! I was just abou

r throat dry. "Mom

expression. She set the magazine down and ge

ir, her hands twisting together.

pregn

le

words hadn't fully regis

va repeated, barel

r lap, and when she spoke again, her voice was tight. "Who... how?"

s a one-night stand. I d

th, rubbing her temple. "Vi

was heartbroken. I just-I made a mistake, and no

long time. Then, she exha

signing from Goldie's company. I don't know what

e small living room. "Tell me you're joking, Viv

" Viva sai

lief. "How could you let this happen? Do you have

ched. "Mo

Working three jobs just to put food on the table? The nights I cried myself to sleep, wondering if

's eyes. "I know it was

e a child. You didn't see the sacrifices, the times I skipped meals so you wouldn't

g to be easy, but I won't run away from this. I ma

eats you like trash! You have nothing to give th

itched. "I will

sigh, rubbing her temples. "

h twisted. "I

ze. "You d

night stand," Viva admitted, he

iva..." She shook her head, disappointment heavy in

ke a knife

udgment crush her. Her mother sat back down, the a

a how much this

eed to be shamed-I just need to know that you're still on my side. I won't force you t

orted you. When you started dating that good-for-nothing lowlife Nathan, regardless of how I hated him, I let you hav

that you've put yourself in this position. And I hate that you're about to

arents are supposed to do. Just as you worked hard to raise me alone, I will do the same for

he looked away. "Please leave. I

ard, standing up

ier than the last. She stepped outside, and the cool nig

f her. She feared her mo

oice but to win-o

NEVER REALL

ly in her slightly trembling hands. She had barely slept the night befo

looked up when

she said, flipping through some papers. "I don't tolerate c

out that. I'm resigning." She pl

w, amused smirk curved her lips. "Resigning?" she repeated, as if the very idea w

determined not to let

ers to handle. I can't

ping a manicured nail against the de

iffened

nt-mindedness, the sudden exhaustion, and let's not forg

about to explain her personal life

uckled, s

eckless, Viva. You barely survived in this company when you were

the lump in her th

ial." She crossed her arms. "You had promise, Viva. I saw it. You worked hard, put up with everything

sponsibility. I may not have planned for it,

d, shaking her head. "Fine. Your choice. But don't e

ith unwavering dete

. "Get your things and go, then. And make sure you don't leave an

eel and walked out w

r lips. The doors closed, and only then did she allow he

ob. No finan

lso had n

was

igure it out-on

HE NEW S

buzzed. She groaned, flopping onto the couch. The la

d at the s

ring. "Lilly, now is re

n you hear thi

practically buzzin

ridge of her nose.

ember Le

d. "Not par

Do you even list

iva sat up.

D Techn

"Oh, right. The

was in need of a new as

wisted. "Lilly..

d-shoutout to Harry for the inside scoop-and

straight.

, you'd need a backup plan. A fresh start, a n

in. "First of all-what the hell,

ng story short-

le

ked. "Wai

hone. "Pays way more than Goldie. Plus, guess what? We get

ified, or both. Moving? Starting over in a comp

at exactly wh

o her chest, inhalin

KING GOD!"

Lilly squealed.

pounding with a mix of

he clean slate she h

ODBYE MA

e knew there was one last thin

to see h

as seated in her usual chair, staring blankly at the TV, but Viva knew

ted softly. "I ca

le

in West View. I'll be staying with

cknowledgment, not even

have to live like this." Her voice crac

avy. There was nothing m

t a small folded note and placed it

be staying with Lilly," she said, voice softer n

ut, tears welled in her eyes. She wiped them

y from the house, something mad

y lit window, sh

the curtains.

to sleep that night. But she wouldn't r

ad to be felt

faced forward a