ida

xteen cents. It was a number that meant my dignity ha

d a job

oring the ones that required degrees I hadn't finished

I s

high-end photography studio. Im

to be true, but desperation

lio tucked tightly under my arm. It was thin, filled

manager said, not even bo

t my art. He loo

he said, thrusting a light reflector into my han

nto Set B

sian street scene. Faux cobblest

ding in the center

ease. Else was twirling in a red silk dress that

hitched in

coincidence. T

e, but the manag

d the light steady.

p. His eyes lo

, his expression smoothed into that ma

ater. Her smile widene

ripping with venomous sweetness. "I didn't kno

les turned white. I needed the money. I neede

to work," I sai

se said. "

to the ph

mate," she commanded. "

rced to stand three feet away whi

er shouted. "Look at her like sh

ed at Else

mile he gave me o

now kis

pped her face. He kiss

away. I forced myself to

owed it down. I turned the pain into fuel. Every kiss

Else laughed,

Derek's shoulder

that one, Aleida? I want to make su

holding the equip

ct," I

nded, the manager told m

said, handing me a key card. "You're in th

m. It was a small box with

to calculate how many more hours of this

I hea

ng from the r

the VIP

glasses. I heard Else

top," she

ake out the words, but the tone was familiar. It

k of a bed frame. The heavy thud

w

art hammering a

over my ears. I squ

The rhythm of their betrayal

ating. The air in the ro

ying. I was

he weight of my own stupi

orth, listening to my husband make love to

last ember of my love for