Vanessa stiffened. Fear flickered, but she refused to let the chance slip away. "What do you want? Money? I have two hundred pounds. Is that enough?"
Andrew laughed softly and closed the door. "I don't want money. I want you for the night."
His words echoed in her ears as he stepped closer. Panic struck too late. By the time she realized what she was about to lose, resistance had become meaningless.
Tears slid silently from the corners of her eyes, regret flooding in as everything spiraled beyond control.
Elsewhere, unaware of the storm brewing, Mary and Ryan returned home together. She urged him to wash up while she started preparing dumplings, deliberately making extra, knowing how well he could eat.
Ryan came out after washing his face and stood quietly in the doorway, watching her work. The sight of Mary focused on making food for him filled his chest with warmth.
