AYRA'S POV;

Walking back home, the weight of the day pressed heavily on my shoulders. My thoughts drifted to Mr. Caspian, whose habit of picking on me had transformed my new job from a victory into a burden. I should have been relieved—grateful, even—to have another paying position in a world where work isn’t easy to come by. Yet, every harsh word of his echoed in my head, filling me with frustration and a bitter sense of defeat.

I reached the gate of our apartment complex, half-distracted by my own thoughts, when I noticed Mrs. Garrett. She sat outside, arms crossed, her foot tapping impatiently. She had claimed the seat...