The Price of Deception, A Broken Man

He had the grace to loo

hia gets a little... possessive. Hope she didn't actually hurt you." His apology was casua

leading with her. Just say something. Deny it. Tell me he's a c

mething in her eyes. Recognition? Panic? But it was gone as qu

ck to her shoe. She reached into her designer handbag, pulled out a che

eck out and hel

uld cover any... inconvenience. And a little extra f

thousand dollars. Seve

rifice, of believing in her, w

y of it real? But looking at her cold, empty eyes, I already k

check. She simply let it go, and it

ely. She looped her arm through his, her body language sc

echoing in the now too-quiet lobb

hat probably cost more than the building I lived in. The engine roared to life,

was waiting for the right moment, for her mother's "debt" to be paid off, to ask her to marry me. I rem

s all

I went home to our small, shared apartment. The check f

a framed photo. It was a picture of

illed with tears, the first time she told me the story.

ce, a cold dread washed over me

ngagemen

g next

led "Mom"

ure wasn't Sophia's m

out that... what e