FROM THE ROCK BOTTOM TO THE HIGH SOCIETY

athered near the lockers, chatting animat

r height, tiny face, and those legs, you could be a flight attendant, a model

nuing to fold a napkin in her hands. She tur

d glances, their ex

ust because she works in the VIP

"Her face is average, and it's not like she's s

y, shrugged. "I don't think she's arrogant. She

ook. "Layla, my stomach's acting up. Ca

r, her expression calm but un

oor," the waitress said, handing over

elevator with the tray in hand, h

nd pushed open the door to the Platinum VIP Room. She entered quietly,

abbed her wrist. Layla froze, her heart skipping a beat. She s

ding but not painful. His presence was commanding, and the f

voice low and edged with amusement

a struggled to process the moment, her

been too harsh, she appeared before him-serving as a waitress in the very room reserved exclusively for him. He h

ager, who had been accompanying Victor, could barely con

orking here?" Victor's v

stammered, "

mily's grasp. Victor's blood boiled-she wasn't running away, she w

he met his gaze. It felt like a cruel twist o

, her voice trembling with both fear and defi

from his iron grip, but he held on tight. Th

ken, shouted at her, "La

r. "Layla Young? You think changing your n

tress who had asked Valerie to cover her shift, hu

ing her first paycheck. Now, everything was slipping away again. Her vo

rate move, she leaned in and bit down on Victor's arm. Hi

ight. By the time Victor regained his composure, she had already darted out of the restaurant

-she had gone to prison in Belinda's place, lost her mother, and now, her one chance at starting over wa

over on the roadside, retching. But all that c

gently patted her on the back. "Are yo

us lately but hadn't considered that possibility. Now, the woman's words

d just enough money for a urine test. After what felt

the doctor said,

d spun. "No, t

"You can opt for an abortion," before

fice and collapsed onto a benc

through her thoughts. She looked up to see a toddler standing in f

g deep inside Valerie. "Thank you, sweetheart,

approached and took the little girl's

ghter walked away. A pang of longing tugged at her heart as she placed a hand on her stomach. T

ison, desperately seeking out the one person who had shown her kindness in those d

d. "Clara Summer was re

alerie's

Bridge, right?"

too stunne

o catch you that day, but you didn't hear me." He handed

ed, clutching the paper

s most exclusive hospital, standing before Clara's bed. The older wom

" Valerie ca

g across her face as she saw who it was. "Valerie,

er early release from prison. It all made sense now-why they'd let her go so easily. But ho

ng against her desperation. Finally, she whispered, "Aunt Clara

, one she recognized all too well. Valerie's heart nea

was