Chapter 3

3.

"Okay," I whispered.

"I wasn't really planning on going anyway. I just wanted to see if I could get in. I already threw the letter away."

Zephyr let out a long sigh of relief.

"Good. That's my girl."

"Hurry up with that brisket. And don't use any rosemary. Gwenyth hates the taste of it."

He knew every single one of her preferences by heart.

I didn't argue. I just focused on the cooking.

The woman who used to crave his attention was dead. This version of me felt absolutely nothing for him.

I just had to survive one more month.

Once I finished the meal, I packed it into a container and handed it to him.

"Thanks, Jolene."

"Next time I get some extra cash, I'll buy something nice for you. But Gwenyth just got into college, and I wanted to celebrate her achievement."

"You know we're just old friends. I owe her this much."

In the past, he never bothered to explain himself to me. He just took what he wanted.

I nodded and retreated to my room.

I heard the front door click shut as he left.

I pulled the acceptance letter out and stared at it for a long time.

This piece of paper was my only shield against a miserable destiny.

I needed to save every penny I could, or I'd starve once I reached the city.