nd re

life, a carefully

a target for revenge over a breakup I barely r

at a Montgomery charity event years ago, where I was a scholar

ed me f

edication" in the bag

hit me, but I s

s debt" to me with a fi

n't known I possessed, began

ed up

d was

s was about settling debts

last

y" had always felt like a g

d the d

contrast to the storm raging

a drink in his hand. He smirked whe

storm dragged i

large window, looking out at the tempest. He turned slowl

t. I was so worrie

bility, now scraped against my raw nerves. I saw the l

my shoes squelching

" My voice was flat, dev

have been a real adventure out there." He

eeds it now." Mark

m, my eyes f

shoulder. Not hard enough to make me fall, but en

it," he

se alarm. "Mark! Be careful with her.

s brow furrowed. "S

oncern was a lie. The

said, my voice

the table beside him

away. "You always said you didn't want

l excuse to get m

nd, then his mask of suffering returned

rk' s mocking ga

cold rage solidifi

had t

for his ninety

to g

oss the country in Oregon. A retired lawyer, sharp and reso

led out my phone, shieldin

er help to