Chapter 1
In the fifth year after my release from prison, I ran into Rocky Summers while selling handmade bracelets.
Dressed in a tailored suit, he looked completely out of place in the smoky, bustling stall area.
When his gaze fell on my hands, roughened with thin calluses, he froze for a moment.
He stepped forward, his voice low and husky. "I'll take everything here."
I flinched as if scalded, pulling my hands back and clutching the strings of cheap beads to my chest. My eyes reddened instantly, and my voice trembled as if it might break any second.
I said, "Mr. Summers, please keep your distance. If someone sees us, they'll say I'm shamelessly clinging to my ex-husband again. My reputation is already ruined, but I wouldn't dare tarnish yours."
His breath hitched, pain flooding his eyes.
He said, "Wendy, must you draw such a clear line between us?"
I lowered my head, a cold, faint smile touching my lips.
*****
Rocky stared at me, his eyes brimming with pain, almost overflowing.
He hurriedly pulled out a thick wad of cash from his wallet.
"Take it. This should be enough for you to close up the stall," he said.
The stack of bills looked glaringly out of place under the dim yellow streetlights.
I jumped back, startled like a scared rabbit.
"Mr. Summers, this is way too much. Someone like me, with a record, doesn't deserve this kind of money," I said.
I lowered my head, my voice so soft it could be blown away by the wind.
"And, if Mrs. Summers finds out, she'll just get mad again."
Rocky's hand froze in mid-air, his brows furrowed tightly.
"Wendy. Why does it matter what anyone else thinks if I'm giving you money?" he snapped.
He stepped forward, trying to shove the cash into my hand.
I scrambled to get away, but my foot got tangled up in some messy wires.
I yelped, "Ah."
I lost my balance and stumbled.
The cheap plastic beads were scattered all over the pavement, rolling everywhere.
As my palm hit the rough cement, a few sharp stones scraped my skin.
Blood welled up instantly, bright red beads dotting my hand.
Rocky's face went pale, and he immediately dropped down to help me.
"Wendy," he shouted.
I felt as if I couldn't feel any pain. I shoved his hand away, dropped to my knees, and numbly started gathering the beads one by one.
"Don't, don't touch; it's all dirty," I muttered.
My fingers were still bleeding, but I gripped those beads so tight, as if letting go would mean losing everything.
"I haven't sold these yet. I can't lose them. If I do, I'll go hungry tonight," I said.
Rocky's hand froze. He looked at me, so small and groveling, like I was nothing but dust, his eyes rimmed with tears.
Just then, a pair of blinding headlights cut through the night.
The car door swung open, and Yvette Lane stepped out, dressed in a designer gown and towering heels.
She saw what was happening and immediately looped her arm through Rocky's, pressing herself against him possessively.
"Rocky, what took you so long just to get some water?" she asked.
The moment I saw Yvette, my eyes went wide with shock.
It felt like I'd been struck by lightning. I started shaking all over, completely out of control.
I gagged, "Urgh."
I clutched my chest, retching hard onto the ground, like I was about to puke my guts out.
Rocky was taken aback by my reaction.
He remembered the incident where Yvette was pushed down the stairs, which landed me in prison.
Back then, I couldn't defend myself no matter what I said.
He thought I was terrified of Yvette, terrified of everything that had happened.
Guilt crashed over him like a wave.
Yvette's smile froze for a moment, then she covered her mouth, pretending to be shocked.
"Well, well, isn't this Wendy? What are you doing here, panhandling on the street?" she said.
She fanned her nose, looking like she couldn't stand the smell.
"Seriously, you're making all of us women look bad. You're in good shape; can't you find something better to do?" she said.
My face was ghostly pale as I dragged myself to my feet, swallowing down the urge to vomit.
Then, I gave Yvette a deep, formal bow.
I bent at a full ninety degrees, my posture screaming desperation.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mrs. Summers," I stammered.
My voice shook, choked with sobs.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be here. I’m nothing but a burden to your eyes. I'll get out of your way. I'll leave right now," I said.
Leaving everything behind, even my stall and the beads scattered on the ground, I turned and staggered into the dark alley.
My figure looked so small and desperate, trembling with fear and a stubborn kind of resolve.
"Wendy," he shouted.
Rocky tore himself free from Yvette's grip and chased after me, not giving a damn about anything else.