Elena
The car slowed to a stop at the edge of town, the streetlights barely reaching this far. A sigh of relief left my lips when I realised that I had left the city.
Bailey rested her hands on my thigh and patted it gently. “This is as far as I can take you.”
I swallowed hard, my hands trembling as I reached for the door handle. “I understand. Thank you very much.”
She looked at me intently, her expression torn between concern and something else—pity, maybe. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
I forced a small, tight smile. “I have to be.”
Bailey sighed, reaching into her purse and pulling out a wad of cash. “Take this.”
I hesitated. “Bailey—” I do need the cash, but it's too embarrassing; I feel so ashamed.
“Take it, Elena,” she insisted. “You don’t know what’s ahead, and I’d r
