The Price of His Bitter Regret

LINE

cal blow, stealing the air from my lungs. But I didn't fa

ill trembling slightly. He watch

ow wrapped around Declan's. Her eyes, bright with satisfaction, rak

the money. It was everythi

he money or not?" I asked,

e reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, tossing it onto the table with a

ow?" he

, crisp paper. "Just need the rest for the urn's final installment." My voice

ped my lips. This was my li

s blurred. All I saw was Declan' s stunned ex

quickly. "What kind of game

idn't know. I found a stra

e. "Just ensuring my final resting place is p

s trying to manipulate you! Don't fall for

. "Don't bother, Caroli

strain on my aching muscl

e crinkle of the bills a small comfor

club manager, Mr. Henderson, was watching fr

ed out, his voice s

d. I turned back

embarrass me, embarrass the Carpenter na

ed against my r

city," he added, his voice low and menacing. "Every do

Another lesson. Five years o

e words died in my throat. What was the

ow, deliberate move

way. No more public humiliations, at least not here. My body felt heavy, ea

ned against a damp brick wall, heaving until my throat burned and my stomach was empty. I

but surely. The doctor's word

at the phone. Another missed call from the urn shop. The manager

ath. For a sliver of peace, a quiet corner in

gain. Mr. Grier.

h annoyance. "Are you going to make this payment or not

he words catching in my dry throat.

ast week! Look, I'm not a charity. If you can

o! Please. It's... i

l give you until tomorrow morning. That's it. Otherwis

dead. My last

ager, Mr. Henderson. "Your employment has been terminated, effective immediately

nife. He wasn't just firing me; he was making sure I had

oesn't care if I die. The word