Bound By Desires

ot in my hands anymore," the doctor said gently, his voice laced with pity. His

she choked out thr

iling behind him down the corridor, their white

gers curled into fists at her sides as she fought back another wave of tears. Five million dollars. Th

ped her at work. She didn't regret shouting at him, even if it cost her e

ard, her steps heavy with sorrow. As she reached t

t beeping of the machines the only sign that life still lingered within

to break-not i

ng," she whispered t

s slowly slipping through her fingers. Momma-she had called her that s

feared it would b

hambles. As she rounded the corner, still l

d slightly, his package

retrieve the parcel. Their eyes met for a moment

aid softly, watch

held her pain so tightly inside. He felt... curious. And oddly concerned. But Annabella didn't notice. Her min

familiar apartment door. She took a deep brea

later, and Sandra's sharp eye

said, stepping asi

ouch, her shoulders shaking as she broke into sobs. S

old her everything. The hospital. T

ng a long drag before she sp

ked up, eyes

ave to do som

bout the way Sandra said it

" she asked quietly, thoug

ed flirtatious, and her eyes held a teasing gleam. "C'm

can't you

leave," Sandra snapped, cutting

e used to be. Life had broken her long ago-when her sister died from a sickness they couldn'

t want it," Sandra continued, shrug

ate, stood leaning on the wall, ph

peek at those bouncing babies," Sandra said with a wink,

e... listen t

shoved her gently. Annabell

rama queen," Chara

her fists clenched at her

ath, her voice trembling but determined. "I wo

nd headed to

t through the sil

tone suddenly raw. "Don't be stupid like me. If I had done what

froze at

l turned. "If I don't pay by tomorrow, they'll discharge her. An

. Tears rolled

virginity," Sandra sneered, laughing bi

r and stepped out, the sharp sting of humili

with tears, her steps unsteady-but her hear

g.But she stil

ll that-not even fo

houl

he won't. She won'

with tears, her steps unsteady-but her hear

ad no

still ha

ll that-not even fo

ould

e buzzed in her pocket. She stoppe

ssage from

itical. Immediate attentio

gain-not from tears

ickly

s Annabella-my moth

e came through,

riorated. If the payment isn't made by morning, we