One night of passion with Carl Grey, her supposed uncle, led Renee Lacey down a path of eight years of misery. On the day she decided to end it all, holding her daughter's ashes, Carl was throwing a big party for his ex-girlfriend's son. Talk about adding insult to injury. But life had a surprise in store. Renee got a do-over, and this time, she's not pulling any punches. Carl's going to learn that karma's a real piece of work. Last time around, when Renee tried to explain things, Carl shut her down, accusing her of drugging him for a hookup. Well, not anymore. This time, she's cutting him loose in front of everyone. Remember when Carl's ex stole Renee's work and he called Renee a green-eyed monster? Now, Renee's going to leave them both in the dust and grab that award herself. And let's not forget how Carl always took his ex's side when Renee was blamed for stuff she didn't do. This time, Renee's giving as good as she gets. Poor Carl. He always thought Renee would stick around, no matter what. But when she finally walks out without so much as a "see ya," his world falls apart. Now look at Mr. High-and-Mighty, all teary-eyed and desperate: "Renee, don't go. Can't I come with you?"
View MoreCarl gazed at Renee with dark eyes, like a predator ready to strike.Her breath caught. Her fair skin, flushed from the hot shower, had a rosy tint.Her misty eyes held an alluring gleam.He leaned down slowly, less demanding than usual, almost cautious.Renee stared back, mind blank, forgetting to resist.But just as Carl drew near, her nose twitched, and clarity returned.She pushed him away and turned, sneezing."Achoo!"After sneezing, Renee grabbed a tissue to wipe her nose.When she discarded it, she felt warmth - Carl had covered her with a blanket.Carl lay back, eyes closed, his voice husky. "Sleep."Renee rubbed her nose, curling up carefully at the edge of the bed.She'd make do for now - after such an eventful day, she had no energy left.Renee fell asleep almost instantly, but it was too cold.Especially with the warmth radiating from behind her while her side of the bed remained chilly.The contrast made for restless sleep.As she drifted uncomfortably, a
Warm water cascaded over his broad shoulders, droplets spraying, his body wrapped in a misty sheen.Water dripped from his tousled hair and clung to his long lashes. His half-closed eyes held a dangerous glint.Water traced the defined lines of his abs before disappearing below the towel, which seemed to conceal as much as it revealed.Renee instinctively backed away, but there was nowhere to go.She pressed her cool palm against his chest through the water.The contact burned, and when she tried to pull back, he caught her hand."Why are you so cold?""The AC outside seems broken," Renee said flatly.Annie had arranged the room. Renee had noticed issues when she arrived.On the shaded side, the AC fluctuated between hot and cold.The front desk claimed no other rooms were available, offering only a $200 voucher as compensation.Brookshire was colder than the capital - she'd need a thick coat to sleep without heating.Obviously Annie had done this deliberately, but who'd be
Renee hesitated for a moment, but before she could close the door, Carl had already stepped inside.As the door clicked shut, she came to her senses and blocked his path."This is just a standard room with one bed. There's nowhere for you to sleep.""It wouldn't be the first time we've shared a bed."Carl casually moved her arm aside and walked into the room.Renee blushed, suddenly remembering her clothes scattered on the bed. She rushed over to hastily cover them with the blanket.Sitting on the covered clothes, she gestured around. "Uncle, as you can see, it's quite basic here. You should go back - your romantic rendezvous awaits.""My romantic rendezvous? How thoughtful of you."Carl leaned against the TV cabinet, hands in pockets, his tone neutral.Renee gripped the blanket beneath her and pointed to the door. "Uncle Carl, please leave."The room fell silent for a moment. Then the bed dipped, making a soft rustling sound.Renee looked up to find his warm breath on her f
"Handcuffs come in pairs," Renee said without thinking.The vendor caught on immediately and pulled out another bracelet, snapping it onto Carl's wrist."See! A matching pair! Hold hands and you're handcuffed together."Renee suddenly realized Carl had been holding her hand since the shooting game.She tried to pull away unsuccessfully, then snapped, "You said that on purpose?"Carl didn't deny it, just led her away. "These things are ugly."Ugly, yet he'd tricked the vendor into giving him a matching one.The cheap bracelet looked absurd next to his million-dollar watch.Renee turned around - the men who'd been following her had vanished.She looked at Carl. "Who were they? You must know."Carl paused, his voice cold. "Don't worry about it."“I’ve got to know. If I don’t protect myself, who will?” Renee said angrily."I..."Carl's words faded in and out among the bustling crowd.Renee thought she heard him, but wasn't sure.When she came to, they were in front of a nood
Seeing Renee's poor condition, Mandy offered some comforting words before suggesting she get some rest.Neither mentioned the day's events, though they both understood.Back in her room, Renee couldn't sleep.Mark had said she was sold.By whom?Annie clearly knew something when she appeared, but she'd been with Carl the whole time.And what were those confusing fragments in her mind?Try as she might, she had no such memories from either life.The more she thought, the more complex it became, until she realized she was hungry.She picked up the room service menu, but everything was over a hundred dollars.Although Patrick had given her a card, she needed to save for her future.After some thought, she got dressed.Online reviews raved about downtown Brookshire's street food market.A quick search yielded countless recommendations.Renee took an Uber to the nearest food district.The aroma of street food lifted her mood as she checked her phone for recommended spots."S
Another officer opened Mark's bag and flinched at its contents.Using gloves, he pulled out a processed piece of complete human skin, clearly from someone's back.Several designers immediately vomited.The lead officer blocked the view, instructing, "Don't spread this around. You'll all need to give statements."Annie struggled to control her expression, a vein pulsing at her temple as she backed away.But the police noticed."Miss Simmons, please stay.""Me? Why? I don't know anything..."Before she could finish, she backed into someone.Turning, she looked up tearfully. "Carl, I just wanted to help Renee, but somehow I became the villain.""I understand."Carl spoke softly, reassuringly, handing Annie a handkerchief before shielding her behind him.He addressed the police coldly. "She was with me the whole time. She knows nothing about this. You should focus on your suspects."His cold gaze swept over Renee.Renee startled, looking up. Their eyes met for a second before
Most dinner guests were seeing this kind of test for the first time and watched with curiosity.Only Annie's eyes welled up as she sniffled softly."Officer, please be lenient. Renee is so young - this could ruin her reputation."The officer responded sternly. "The law is the law. No exceptions."At these words, the designers who had been standing near Renee quickly stepped away, afraid of being implicated.Renee looked at Annie coolly. "Miss Simmons, the results aren't even in. How are you so certain I'm guilty? Are you psychic?"Annie stiffened before wiping her tears. "I'm just worried about you. I shouldn't have interfered."The others glanced around, thinking Renee ungrateful.Renee ignored them, calmly watching the test strip.The officer pulled the strip from the glass.One line, two lines...While everyone was shocked, Annie's eyes widened in disbelief."Impossible! How can it be negative? Absolutely impossible!"People froze - negative? Weren't two lines positive?
To avoid alarming potential suspects, the police avoided using the word "drugs."But everyone understood the implication.Hearing this, Mandy was startled and shook her head repeatedly."Impossible! You must be mistaken."Before the police could explain further, a voice interrupted."What's going on? Why all the commotion?"It was Annie.She entered, feigning surprise at seeing Mandy. "Miss Xander, you're at this restaurant too? Wait, where's Renee? Where is she?"Hearing someone was missing, the police grew concerned about flight risk - drug users were often unpredictable and could endanger others.The officer demanded, "Who else is missing? Where are they now? Withholding information makes you an accomplice."Mandy frowned, glaring at Annie disapprovingly.Annie covered her mouth apologetically. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, but Miss Xander, I'm thinking of your best interests. If you're caught harboring criminals, how could you ever hold your head up again? How could you
Renee froze, not understanding Carl's meaning.It almost sounded like he was asking for her to acknowledge him as her lover.But how could there be anything between them?He loved Annie most - she was just someone he used.To him, she was dispensable at any moment.Renee's chest tightened as she said coldly, "I forgot, you're my uncle."Carl's eyes narrowed, emotions churning beneath the surface. Finally, unable to contain himself, he gripped the back of her head and kissed her fiercely.Their breath mingled as he lost control, leaving no room for resistance.When Renee lost all strength and could only yield, a soft sound escaped her throat."Mm..."Carl's breathing grew ragged as he gripped her waist. "Renee, you're going to drive me mad."Renee frowned, about to speak, but winced when her back touched the wall.Carl seemed to sigh in resignation, pulling her to sit. "Turn around. Let me treat your wounds."Renee wanted to refuse but was too weak to resist.Carl dabbed i
As per regulations, family members are not allowed to observe the cremation process.Renee Lacey had paid extra to enter the cremation room, her hand tightly gripping the cold metal frame of the gurney.The air felt scorching, with specks of ash floating in the sunlight.Perhaps they were the remains of previous cremations.Soon, her precious child would become just like those specks.Renee wore a black dress, the smallest size barely concealing her emaciated frame.Her eyes, red and swollen from crying, now held an eerie calmness.She reached out to touch the pale, stiff little hand beneath the white sheet, placing two pink origami stars in Sarah's palm."Sarah, wait for mommy."It was time.The staff member gently pulled Renee away and lifted the sheet, revealing Sarah's face.Eight years old, yet still so small and thin, with visible ribs and a sunken area below them.Staring at her daughter's frail body, Renee's tears welled up once again.She had failed to protect Sar
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