UNTIL LOVE FOUND US

compounded by the fact that I'd spent time cleaning and arranging the things I used for my baking and now my body ached. By the time I finally left work, the night felt oppressively heavy,

he asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. He leaned in, so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. "I could have you arrested... or worse, If I wanted, I could make you disappear, and no one would question it." A chill ran down my spine at his words, and fear began to creep in. But I refused to let it show, I pulled my hand out of his grip, glaring up at him with as much courage I could muster. "Go ahead," I said, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts. "Try it. You're the one who's in the wrong here, not me. Just because you have money doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. You're not above the law." He smirked, a slow, mocking expression that made my blood boil. "Money," he said, his tone dripping with disdain "Is that what you think this is about? You know nothing about me." "I know enough," I shot back, crossing my arms. "I know you're the kind of person who thinks they can buy their way out of anything. But not this time. You're not getting away with almost killing me." For a moment, he said nothing, simply staring at me with those piercing eyes. The intensity of his gaze was almost unbearable, as though he was trying to read every thought running through my mind. Then, without another word, he turned and walked back to his car. He slid into the driver's seat, his movements as smooth and deliberate as before. "Coward," I muttered under my breath. The car engine roared to life, and just as he drove off, he veered slightly towards the puddle by the curb, sending a wave of dirty water splashing onto me. I gasped, drenched and humiliated, as the car disappeared into the night. I stood there, shivering and fuming, my fists clenched at my sides, Who did he think he was? That smug, arrogant man so self-assured, so untouchable dared to act like I was the one in the wrong. But even as anger consumed me, I couldn't deny the lingering fear his words had sparked, Who was he? And what had he meant when he said he could make me disappear? Shaking my head, I tried to push the thoughts away, The last thing I needed was to get caught up in whatever mess that man was a part of. By the time I finally reached home, I was soaked to the bone and utterly exhausted. My dad and stepmother with my two siblings were already fast asleep, I pulled off my wet clothes, the events of the evening replaying in my mind like a broken record. As I climbed my bed, the image of his face lingered in my thoughts his piercing eyes, his sharp features, the way he had spoken to me with such quiet authority. I hated him. And yet, deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wouldn't be the last time our paths would cross, The morning sun struggled to break through the tattered curtains, casting timid rays of light across my cluttered little room. I groaned, feeling the weight of yesterday's exhaustion still clinging to me like a soggy blanket. Every muscle in my body protested as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, confronting the cracked tiles beneath my feet. "Another day, another battle," I thought, bracing myself. With a deep breath, I hoisted myself up and slipped into my usual work clothes-simple, practical attire that provided a professional façade but felt completely unremarkable. I glanced in the mirror, grimacing at my reflection. Dark circles shadowed my eyes, and my hair looked like a nest desperately in need of a rescue mission. "Get it together," I muttered to myself, quickly tying my hair back into a tidy bun. As I stepped into the living room, the familiar aroma of breakfast hit me-a mix of fried eggs, toast, and the subtle scent of brewing tea. My