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164 Chapter 164

164 Chapter 164

Seraphina’s POV 1

The next morning hit me like a sledgehammer.

My alarm screamed at six AM, dragging me out of a restless sleep filled with dreams about empty bank accounts and angry landlords. My

body ached like I’d been hit by a truck. Every muscle protested as I rolled out of bed.

Everything would be fine by Friday.

The walk to work felt longer than usual, my feet dragging against the cracked sidewalk. The morning air was crisp and sharp, cutting

through my thin jacket like it had a personal vendetta against me.

I pushed through the automatic doors at exactly 7:58 AM. Two minutes early, like always. No matter how shitty my life got, I was never

late.

Gary stood behind the customer service counter, his face already red with whatever crisis had ruined his morning. When he saw me, his

expression soured even more.

“About time,” he grunted.

“I’m early,” I pointed out.

“Don’t get smart with me.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Mia called in. Family emergency. She’s taking a few days off.”

My stomach dropped. “A few days?”

“That’s what I said. Which means you’re covering register two and three today. Think you can handle that without attacking any

customers?”

The jab about yesterday

incident made my jaw clench. “I can handle it.”

“Good. Because I’m not in the mood for any more drama.”

I stared at him, processing what this meant. Two registers. Double the work. Double the stress.

“Will I get overtime pay for covering Mia’s shifts?” I asked.

Gary looked at me like I’d suggested he donate a kidney. “Overtime? You’re not working overtime. You’re just doing your job.”

“But I’m covering two registers–”

“You’re covering one register. Register two. Mia’s register. Same hours, same pay.” He turned away, clearly done with the conversation.

“That’s not fair,” I said.

Gary spun back around, his face purple with irritation. “Fair? You want to talk about fair? How about the three hundred dollars I’m taking out of your paycheck because you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself?”

Heat flooded my cheeks. Other employees were starting to stare. I could feel their curious gazes like little needles in my skin.

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164 Chapter 164

I walked to register two with my cheeks burning and my hands shaking with suppressed rage, Other employees looked away quickly, pretending they hadn’t witnessed my humiliation.

But I needed this job. I needed the paycheck, even if it was pathetic. Even if Gary was a power–hungry asshole.

I turned on the register and forced my face into a customer service smile. “Next!”

and

a haze of cranky customers and broken price

eating

for the tenth time that week. It went straight to

reached Mia! I’m probably doing something way more fun than talking on

you when I remember!“*

voice made my chest ache. Where was she? Why wasn’t

I tried texting instead.

are you okay? Haven’t heard from you.

No response.

me know you made it home

Nothing.

back today. My rent

Still nothing.

slightly. She’d promised. Cross her heart and hope to die, she’d promised to pay

Friday.

It was Friday.

walked to the bus stop with dread sitting in my stomach like a lead weight. The ride home

minute stretching like

even more depressing than usual in the fading evening light.

of garbage and

Outside my door, a bright pink

My heart stopped.

18:36

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164 Chapter 164

An eviction notice.

the door with shaking

hereby notified that your tenancy is terminated. Rent for the month of October is past due. You are required to quit and surrender the premises to the owner.

*Amount Due: $450.00*

October 27th, or

Sunday. Two days.

my keys, nearly dropping them twice before managing to unlock my door. Inside, the

to press in around me like a

my threadbare couch and pulled out my phone, calling my bank’s automated line to check my

balance is… forty–seven dollars

Forty–seven dollars.

four

due, and I had

my pride

office, hunched over paperwork and looking as miserable as I felt. When

with obvious irritation.

“What now, Sara?”

you a favor,” I said, hating how desperate

the answer’s no. Corporate’s been

into his office, my palms sweating. “I need an advance on

eyebrows shot up. “An

hundred dollars. Maybe three hundred. I’ll work extra shifts to pay it

“No.”

like

no.” He turned back to his paperwork, dismissing me. “We don’t do

could lose my apartment,”

“Not my problem.”

純雞

164 Chapter 164

I show up on time, I don’t call in sick, I cover

customers and cost me money,” Gary interrupted without looking up.

“That wasn’t my fault!”

your fault. His voice was flat, final. “Figure out your money

his balding head. He didn’t look up. Didn’t acknowledge

to go fuck myself.

“Fine,” I said quietly.

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