When They Beg, I Rise!

Lucian dialed Lemira's number, but got no answer. He quickly texted. [Lemmy, where are you?]

Lemira glanced at her phone, stood up, and walked out of the restroom stall. At the sink, she looked at her reflection, her eyes slightly reddened.

Despite countless resolutions to not let the Langstons get to her again, Asher's words still stung. Lemira splashed her face with cold water, just one more month, and she wouldn't have to endure any longer. Leaving the restroom, she planned to take the elevator out of the restaurant.

"Why are you here?"

Lemira looked up to find Orion, and in a fluster, she lowered her head, "Came to grab a bite."

Her voice was hoarse. Orion stepped closer, "Been crying?"

Something in her voice suggested she had been crying.

Lemira instinctively denied, "No."

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Lucian stepped out.

she immediately threw herself into Orion's arms, clinging tightly to his shirt. Lemira wished she

down at the girl pressing against him,

apple bobbed, instinctively wanting to create distance. But as

onlooker, they seemed like a couple deeply

was surprised by her actions. The usually composed man was at

Lucian return to

tiptoes, and he had to lean down to let her arms reach around his

why she seemed down. His voice teasing, "Any guy

him in surprise,

With anyone else, she couldn't imagine doing the same. Probably not. Orion felt slightly better with her answer, "Here with them

supposedly for doing well on my exams," Lemira said with

recalling seeing him with a beautiful woman earlier. Now,

was even, "Tenth

pride, "It's okay. Now I might

doubted