3
William had always been generous. I’d heard stories about his past girlfriends; he showered them with gifts while they were dating and gave them
a hefty severance package when it was over,
My best friend, Ruby, practically twisted my ear as she lectured me. “Don’t you dare be stupid, Sera.”
“Only an idiot would turn down the money.”
“You got dumped on your birthday, and your face was nearly ruined. The fact that we’re not suing him for emotional distress is us being merciful.”
The cut, stretching from my forehead to the corner of my eye, began to heal slowly, but the money from William never arrived.
I tried to contact him and Melina for an explanation, but I couldn’t even get past their gatekeepers. Instead, I got a vicious verbal beatdown from
Melina and her circle of friends.
Just as I was about to go to the police, my family ran into trouble.
Chapter 1
08 48
My dad owns a small fishing boat. A few days ago, out on the water, a storm kicked up and his boat scraped against someone’s private yacht. The
owner was demanding a huge sum for repairs. Money we didn’t have. If we couldn’t pay, my dad would go to jail.
If the compensation William had promised was anything like the legends, it would have been just enough to cover the damages.
My dad was so stressed his hair seemed to turn grayer overnight. I transferred all my savings from part–time jobs and scholarships to him, but it
was a drop in the ocean.
Ruby, fed up with my hesitation, snatched my phone and sent a message to William.
His call came almost immediately. But when I answered, it was Melina’s voice on the other end.
