HOMELESS HEART, PRICELESS LOVE

e Can't

a bed far too

oap, maybe. The air felt too still, too quiet, and the ache in her chest

o was

s resting on his knees, head down like

ing in the alley behind the food stall, the blur of light

moment she move

. where

t. Rented. Quiet.

vase of fake flowers on the table. It wasn't a pal

on't need help,

he said gently. "Your

olding around herself.

blem," he said. "

s voice chipped aw

her like she was fragile or beneath hi

de he

. A warm bowl of soup sat on the table, s

ed. "You co

completel

, but took a spoonful

faintly. "H

at p

e murmured. "You shouldn'

ready i

houldn

ze never leaving hers. "T

mouth but not

she co

e kne

r Th

the window, phone

rased," he said qu

do that discr

it. I'll deal

re the assistan

ding laundry. Her hands moved slowly, metho

he bridge. Still sharp. Still unreada

urvive?" she a

"What do

kill you. How did y

aw cl

ught it was enough. Left before checking. I crawled out. Don'

. "Do you kno

. A theory. Bu

ho

ed. "My st

bli

eenager," he continued. "Charmed ever

're

ny. She wanted it for her son my half-brothe

m carefully. "T

was c

g sil

anyone?" she

he said. "

oked

ant

Eve

r. The city lights shimmered in the distance. For once, there

followed her until she h

u o

d. "Just

bo

his. All of it. You. Me

er, resting his a

ke sense," he said. "S

h. "That sounds like someth

not trying to buy your si

are you try

ly person who didn't want anything

ilence

art th

y the way he looked at her like she was someth

t terri

leave eventuall

ser. "What mak

you don't stay. Not

shing a strand of

osable. Like you're unworthy. But do yo

eath c

omeone who makes me feel more alive than anything I've built or earned. Someone who

le

one ste

did

s were inc

what this is,"

her d

like it's goin

cupped

save

ps almos

eath

h

BANG

k at t

umped

already moving, tense, reaching f

d the door, it wa

Loren," the

murmured thanks,

oment had

away, arms f

ld go l

n't st

e wan