Exhaustion was an understatement. My limbs ached, my head throbbed, and all I wanted to do was collapse onto my bed and forget the world existed. But life didn’t care if I was tired. Gavin's money was due, and so were other bills that had to be paid so, I dragged myself to one of my part-time jobs at the coffee shop.
The bell above the door chimed as I walked in, but I was too drained to even glance up at the customers seated by the window. I headed straight to the back to clock in when my manager’s voice echoed across the room.
"Brianna! You're late again!" His voice was like nails on a chalkboard, sending a chill down my spine.
I turned around slowly, forcing myself to face him. "I’m only five minutes late, Mr. Daniels, I—"
"Five minutes is five minutes too long!" he snapped, his fa
