MATURE

Life hasn’t been kind to me. One moment, I was a carefree eighteen-year-old with dreams of a bright future. The next, I was a 28 year old lady and my world went up in flames. literally. My mom died in the fire that destroyed our home, my little sister is in a coma, and my brother’s in jail for trying to keep us afloat. My dad? He left us drowning in debt and despair.

I thought I’d hit rock bottom, but then I found myself working in a place where dreams go to die, doing things I never imagined just to survive. That’s when he walked into my life, Alex Romanov. Dangerous. Mysterious. And entirely out of my league.

He’s everything I should fear, but there’s something about him that draws me in. Maybe it’s the way he looks at me like I’m more than just another broken soul. Or the way he makes me feel alive when I thought I’d forgotten how.

But Alex has secrets, dark ones that could destroy us both. And as my past collides with his world, I’m left wondering: Can I trust the man who’s slowly stealing my heart, or will his darkness swallow me whole?

This isn’t the life I wanted, but it’s the one I’ve been given.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. "I went to see Mia at the hospital," I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing in the room.


Clara narrowed her eyes, her cigarette dangling from her lips. "Convenient timing, don't you think? My money goes missing, and you're nowhere to be found."


My stomach twisted, but I stood my ground. "I don't know anything about your money, Clara. I've been at the hospital all day."


She took a step closer, her gaze piercing. "You expect me to believe that? You're desperate, Bella. Everyone knows it. What better way to solve your problems than to take what's mine?"


Her accusation hit me like a slap to the face, but I refused to back down. "I didn't take your money, Clara," I said firmly. "Believe whatever you want, but I'm telling you the truth."


Chapter 23 - No where to turn to