ael'

s tapping lightly on the polished w

new landlord. Tell her renovations are starting soo

huckled. "Understood, Mr. Gr

d. "The sooner

with something dark and satisfied. If she wasn't ready to say

***

ey'

thing. The eviction notice still sat on her coffee table, mocking her with every passing se

h

BANG

daze. She stood up slowly, brows furrowed as

ed out, walking to

hand, flanked by three other men in work vests. Behind the

dan?" the

ey replied

e to start inspection and measurements for re

" she asked, voice

building's been sold. Full internal upgrades starting th

dropped.

the walls, discussing electrical outlets a

stumbled out, her voice getting drowned by the scraping s

rders, ma'am," Mr. Lo

n what was still her home... for now. Her eyes burned, but she

****

ence swallowed the apartment like a fog. Riley shut the door qu

new landlord?"Renovations? A new landlord? T

hael be b

nipulation. He had shown up unannounced, dropped an offer like

could not even blam

etrayed you with Your boss. You lost your job. Your pri

r eyes darted to the card Michael had left on he

itated, hoverin

really d

de scre

reality

aled the number. It rang

tightening around the phone a

my window, and he'

to lower the phone,

Gray c

throat and ans

rough smooth, unr

till stands," she said quickly, not trustin

just long enough

oes," he s

meet you and go o

. 9 a.m." And without anoth

"He didn't ev

the couch with an exaspera

e small smile tugging at her l