JT: Come to my office tomorrow Lena. Let's see what we can work out about the debt.
My pulse stutters before sharpening into something cold.
Jaden Taemin. Smelling blood in the water and appearing exactly when I'm weakest. He has a talent for that. Finding me when vulnerability clings to me like a bruise. Just like eight years ago at university, when he offered "help" with my tuition that came wrapped in strings, knots, and a noose.
I barely escaped him then, and it cost me everything that mattered. My reputation. My freedom. Adrian.
Now here he is again. Circling. Waiting. Calculating which version of my desperation he can exploit this time.
I set the phone face down on the dresser. I don't answer. Not yet. Answering means he knows I'm reading his messages, knows I'm scared enough to
