A'S H

She was waiting for her parents to arrive.

k late, and she had

s in dire need of money, she would hav

in the sitting roo

ed her like her daughter ev

in a restaurant, and Aunt

y weren't as rich as she was, the

would always give her the sweater

family even with her g

d and loved, because she never

t saw her period. Aunt Maria

ways been less co

ther and exhaled slowly, t

gain, and saw it was on

ight?" she thought, and that

the doorstep wh

ey would be

r waited

ood evening,

ngful glances before

her palm on I

Georgia said, ta

uld be a bit overly

kay?" Smith (Ixor

hook he

od cancer and she needs surgery. Could you please see about

d at her, bef

n walkin

looked at h

k that says 'fo

ed his wife

If you don't want to do it for me, then do it to s

a face

o our status. Her daughter waits table at a roadside diner, and her mother-what do

and tolerate you saying mean thi

em was a waste of time

ife was hangin

ora pleaded, goi

ouldn't kneel before your fath

orners of Ixora's eyes

ours, but only on one condition." Smith sat o

mething for her very own benefit. They were selfish and had never for once thought abo

slowly, getting herself ready

r friend's mother is free from her illness. I'll also rid them of th

is the first time. Can't you do this one thing? Must you always b

ng goes for nothing. Anyway, I'm exhausted, so I'll see you

" Ixora screamed at her dad's fa

bring herself to meet Hazel. She couldn't let her mother down after everything they'd both done

can they be this heartless and selfish?" she mumb

was I born to them? Why!" she yelled

er face slightly squeezed. The air had become m

aze, swiftly snapping her gaze to a different corner. There wa

atly white, well-folded handkerchi

here when I got h

, and her eyes caught

those crazy feelings," she th

she thought, because no matter how much sh

nished into the night. She exhaled deeply, u

e person, she could

was no way she coul

his strong presence lingered in

nd ran back

handkerchief w

nd her eyes caught

NOT.

had planned and didn't know whe

mbled softly, staring

ACKTHORN

ted for Drexton to fin

t for him, the reas

her like he used to, though she cou

rted around

t time she'd noticed h

was off

nds we

her hands to e

tension

ound her elbow, her heart

glass cover on the

ver, she coul

ke a newly discovered diamond, ca

you thinking?"

er eyes found their way b

on and tears ec

t a few days for the surgery. The more w

ook her gaze back to Drexton, wh

c force, the watch

ver my aunt's surgery. But I c

then remembere

please. My mum's life is in your hands. I'm sorry that I'm the one saying it. If your

ng her to steal and not from anyone...her boss

cup brought her

so she carr

at the watch, she beg

r. Like day, and night," his cold voice sud

ked on some files. He didn't ev

aving the office, while trying to figure ou