A few hours ago, I walked out of prison with barely a plan. And now, the father of the girl whom I’d protected inside had transferred a fortune into my account.
I should have felt a thrill or even relief—but instead, the money felt like a cruel reminder of everything I’d lost.
Within seconds, I put the phone back in my pocket. At that moment, my mind was reeling, as I glanced at the grim faces of my so-called family.
Whatever hope I'd about them was quickly shattered.
“Where am I supposed to stay?” I asked quietly, already bracing for the blow.
After listening to my words, Gracia, my stepmother, smirked. She pulled out a crumpled bundle of cash—two hundred dollars, at most—and tossed it on the table as if she were handing me some spare change.
“Here, take this. Find a cheap motel. Or, if you’re smart, get out of town.”
Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, Luca came in from the back.
There was a handgun tucked casually into his waistband. His eyes narrowed as he saw me.
The next moment, I forced a bitter smile, struggling to maintain my composure. “What about you, Luca?”
I looked at my stepbrother, hoping he’d remember everything I’d sacrificed for him.