Time blurred into something seamless and dizzying, ruled entirely by Alex’s unpredictable schedule. The initial shock of their arrangement had dulled into routine, an unspoken contract that governed her days. Jessica had become used to the sudden messages, often just an hour or two before he wanted to meet, telling her to prepare.
The desperation that once pushed her into this deal was gone. Her bank account was proof, steady, secure, padded by the triple payments that made survival effortless. For the first time, she wasn’t worried about money.
Even during the pandemic, when the world seemed to freeze, Alex’s money made motion possible. Lockdowns and online classes didn’t stop their meetings. He’d even set up a small workspace for her in his home office, where she attended her online le
