Lana
“Please…” I press my teeth into my lower lip and hold it there until the shaking eases. It doesn’t stop completely, but it’s better than letting him see it.
I would rather beg this man than Xander Chen. Any day. “There has to be another option. Some other way to handle this. A different schedule.” My voice sounds too loud in the small room. “I’ve been sick. I couldn’t work for weeks. Dad lost his job. We just need time. One more month. That’s all I’m asking.”
My hands fumble as I reach into my purse. I pull out my checkbook and set it on the desk like it’s a shield.
Dad doesn’t know about this money. He never did. I hid it on purpose. Every extra shift. Every skipped meal. Every dollar I could save went into that account.
My escape fund. My backup plan. I thought I still had ti
