My Ruthless Billionaire and I

IN

y street leading to our crampe

cheeks as I recalled the store cl

pointed judgmental stares that fo

aid, his voice even. "Yo

antically tried to explain, "C

tak

was the same. Insufficient funds.

l only Arin's medication remained.

nge from my purse and left the s

wooden porch of our house, a wav

d ove

ime, its paint peeling off and sti

roaning on its rusted hinges. Ins

all coffee table riddled with scrat

er d

oice called from the

plied, hurrying

r-old brother, who lay on the thi

e in wheezing gasps. My h

?" Mom asked, h

the medicine from my bag. We we

thing eased, and color slo

ized I was holding, my shoulder s

spe

hair, her hand tre

onger, making sure he was stable

ht blanket

ivacy," I murmured, usherin

ts springs groaning under our wei

kne

last of my money."Mom's lips pressed into a thin line. She l

...And food."

"I'll handle it," I said firmly,

e already done so much, Rain. You

e're in this togeth

and walked back to Arin's room.

on his ratt

y?" I asked softly, leani

usted but awake. "Better." He snap

o be nonchal

yebrow. "What

oking at me, his shoulders tight.

d

push. "Alright. Let me know if yo

ce little yet

shut behind me. Walking to the ki

phone. A whole lotta scratches m

cts. Eunice. The very last resort o

o

he call icon. Ringing twice, a brig

!" Eunice

oice quivered sligh

e? Still in-what's the n

plied, forcing a smile though Eunice

a f

use. "Sure. Wh

lness, the mounting bills, the lack

r and shame settled heavy inside.

ome huge white collar job,

you lend me some money? I

"Rainora, you don't have to pay

ce interrupted softly. "Here's what we'll do. I

get on your feet. I'l

What? Eunice, that's

id firmly. "I'm offering. And

h of disbelief escaping me. "Tha

s I call back with the details," Eun

e. Re

'll talk soon, oka

p. For the first time in years, a

slice of bread, a banana, and a

s relieved, though it

New York is a big city."

d Arin to sleep, reached for my

hile I walked through the few bloc

rked the n

sign danced with an irritating f

ntally bracing myself fo