back home, clutching the two hundred t

rage as he glared at the men surrounding him. He spat o

on changed. "Beth! What the hell ar

t the doorway, sweat mingling with her fear. "I'm here, aren't I?" she shot

lding knife, his eyes narrowing in surprise

one and transferred the money to his acco

kled, shaking his head. "Bethany, we were forced, trust me. Mr. Wells

er knees beside Shawn, hands tremb

huh? A girl like you... Mr. Wells could take good

ropes, lunged for a kitchen knife and swung it

ambled back and out of the door, cursing

with anger. His eyes, now red with frustration, bore int

chair, fighting to keep h

Then where the hell did y

r the money, his gaze dripping with contempt. The memory stung,

d the truth about Julian and ended things wit

that had only grown heavier after their parents died under the pressure

her darkest moments, offering financ

done everything he asked. Though she never intended to ma

, choosing to work hard and p

nature surfaced, and he sent thugs to

ding more and more. All while her grandma's medical bills p

back to Julian, beg for his help. Bu

she would never

it go. "Which frien

had given was a few thousand here and there, often without expecting

d, and headed into the kitchen. "It's someo

ed on the faint love marks on her neck

ith the task of cooking. "You'll have to take dinner to

nto the living room. Shawn stood still, staring

Julian, but at his own helplessness. His sister was

his eyes, trying to keep his

before she could say anything more, he

taring at the

nner was

awn's door. "Dinner's do

greete

she calle

g lazily over his shoulder. He avoided her eyes as he picked up the packed food. "I'll take

nical, and before Bethany could res