Brielle's POV
The next time I saw Kenna again was six months ago.
I’d graduated and was working at The Research Institute. I had dropped by Fletcher’s Associates to meet Jayce, only to spot him outside with few of his friends, and Kenna clinging to his arm.
Her voice was high-pitched and small as she told him she wanted to repay him for funding her education.
Jayce brushed her off, his tone dismissive. “What are you repaying me with? It doesn’t look like you have much to offer.”
His friends burst into laughter.
“I—” Kenna stood there, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Twenty years of poverty had left its mark on her. It still slipped through in her awkward mannerisms, making her an easy target for their ridicule.
“Jayce, who’s this girl?” one of them sneered. “She’s trying so ha
