Fate's second chance

e saw the hint of a question ther

me for a quick drink. It's been ages since we hung out. You deserve a break."

nds in a long time, and a small part of him craved the distraction."I'll only be out for a little while," Alex assured Barbara as

ther's medical bills were piling up, and the doctors had made it clear that without immediate treatment, her cond

wet pavement, casting a gaudy glow over the crowded street. She pushed through the throng of people, her heart racing with anxiety. However, when she

hrough, deciding to work her shift and at least earn what she could. As the night wore on, the familiar hustle of the cl

e needs treatment soon, or it might be too late." Hannah's eyes stung as she thought of her mothe

le. One was clearly intoxicated, slurring his words and stumbling over his

rning signals. But needing the tips, she app

chill down her spine. His eyes seemed to undress her, and Hannah's skin crawled. "Spend the

more than she could hope to earn in weeks. She thought of her mothe

led as she took the money. She couldn't believe what she was doing, but the

he sober man asked, h

uttered, her eyes

time. You know what to do." His eyes locked onto

crossed a line. The music and laughter around her faded into the backgr

ced with conflicting emotions. The alcohol-fueled h

tly. Alex leaned against the bedpost, his eyes locked on

ation. She had never intended for things to go this far. The d

his voice low and husky.

tter in her chest. Despite the alcohol, A

ourself," she replied,

He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair b

away. The only sound was the soft hum of the a

felt her pulse quicken. She knew she should

ng Alex's in a soft, gentle kiss. The room spun ar

d she had crossed a line. But Alex's eyes, filled wi

connection deepening. Hannah found herself open

uieter. Alex's intoxication began to w

annah felt a sense of deja Vu. Alex's ha

s," Hannah whispered, h

"I don't either," he replied,

she there was no turning b

tanding. The world outside receded, leaving only the

dissipated, replaced by a sense of wond

ound solace, comfort,

ext M

s. Her body felt heavy, weighed down by the events of the previous night.

handsome in the morning light, his features chiseled and peaceful. Hanna

ark-haired, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through her. And r

previous night. She was still naked, her body bearing the marks of their pass

e was numb, her muscles aching from the unfamiliar

y touched the stranger's lips. They were so

ter all. But as she looked at the stranger, she couldn't muster any regrets. Yeste

d, Hannah," she wh

covers, careful not to disturb him. She closed her eyes, letting the warmt

o leave before he woke up, before things got complicated. But for now, just for

e rise and fall of their breathing. Hannah's thoughts blurred, and she let herself surrend

******