RY

I pulled on a clean, faded t-shirt and jeans,

The slow, lumbering vehicle felt like

ed people on the sidewalks, laughing, holding coffees, rushing to their own bright lives. Meanwh

m words of encouragement from family. Just a single,

as probably enjoying a cozy, luxurious breakfast with Trev

al lamb, walking comple

d looked up at the imposing, brutalist

e and new beginnings. For me, it wa

fice on the second floor, follo

th tired but kind eyes and a nameplate t

ave her my name a

anced up at me, taking in my cheap clothes and pale face, wi

he said softly. "The oth

e wall clock was deafening in the silence. Each

y looked like behind the monstrous rumors, not his personality. All I knew was tha

hone and texted

lling: Good. Remember what yo

, pushing down the humiliat

through the architectural sketches and complex structural

The only pure lig

ails into my palm. Get the money. Save Hannah. When she's bet

his sham of a mar

on. Nine o'cloc

ght didn

he clock to me, her e

ach. He was late for his own contractual m

my head. A loser. A joke. A def

t more importantly, if he didn't show up... Fi

ion. I stood up and walked to the

was kissing, their friends cheering loudly

ung with u

ice door swung ope