Chapter 2

And the second thirty grand was lost at an underground casino.

When my manager called me into his office, I was still staring at her social media feeds.

"Avery, we received calls claiming you're tied up in major debt disputes and facing severe credit issues. Given the situation, we can't keep you in the finance department."

I tried to explain, but he waved a hand, cutting me off.

"It's not about whether I believe you. Our clients need someone with a spotless financial record. Please pack up your desk."

The moment I stepped out of the office carrying a cardboard box, my landlord called.

"Avery, I just ran a background check. Why is your credit in the trash? I can't rent to someone with collection flags. Move out today."

"Can you give me three days?"

"No. Move out now. I'll be there in an hour."

That night, I sat on the curb with my suitcase for hours.

The city lights hurt my eyes. People rushed past in every direction, not a single person glancing my way.

In the end, I still came to Chloe's dorm.

I thought she might at least feel a shred of guilt.

Instead, I stood outside listening to her brag:

"She's a total pushover. I'll just cry a little, and she'll pay it all off like a good little dog."

Inside, someone asked, "Where's your sister now? What if she cuts you off?"

"Who cares? She won't die. My sister was born to be a doormat. You can step on her all you want."

More laughter erupted.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, the pain grounding me.

No.

Never again.

I took a deep breath and shoved the door open.

The door swung wide.

The laughter died instantly.

Three girls sat inside. On the table between them were several luxury shopping bags, the deep red and glossy boxes glaring under the fluorescent lights.

Chloe held a glass of red wine, a smug grin still frozen on her face.

The two girls next to her were her college friends, Sophia and Harper. Neither came from money, but both hung around Chloe for free perks.

All three froze, staring at me.

Chloe’s hand shook. Red wine splashed across her pristine white dress. In a split second, her smirk morphed into sheer panic.

"Avery... when did you get here?"

I didn't answer. My eyes swept over the coffee table.

A Louis Vuitton bag, a Gucci shoe box, and a Tiffany necklace.

Twenty grand. Then thirty grand.

This was where it went.

"I've been standing outside for a while," I said, my voice shockingly calm. "Long enough to hear everything."

Chloe went paper-white.

Sophia and Harper exchanged nervous glances, edging toward the door, desperate to disappear.

"Avery, let me explain! I was just talking trash, just showing off to my friends! I didn't mean it..."

Chloe set her glass down, jumped up, and forced an ingratiating smile.

She reached for my arm, her fingers icy cold, just like when she was terrified as a little kid.

I used to cave the moment she looked like this.

Now, it just made me sick.

"Talking trash?" I yanked my arm away. "What about the twenty grand? Was that just trash talk too?"

"I..."

"And forging my signature on that thirty-thousand-dollar loan?"

"Avery, I had an emergency! I was going to pay you back once I made the money, I swear! Please believe me!"

Her eyes instantly rimmed with red. Tears welled up on cue, flowing as easily as turning on a faucet.