MAYA

"What do you want, Maya? Tell me.”

Silas leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me stop. I went quiet, the words about the afternoon schedule dying in my throat.

My mind raced. This was a shift. It was the reward. He was finally offering me something for playing my part while the rest of the world tore me apart. I knew why he was doing it. He’d seen the headlines and the insults, and now he was trying to balance the scales.

It wasn't kindness. It was a transaction. But at this point, I didn't care.

My mouth felt dry. I realized how...