Cheryl got up slowly, making sure not to wake Marley as she gently pulled the blanket over him. She tiptoed out of the room, careful not to make a sound.
The moment she stepped out, Marley's eyes fluttered open. His gaze was icy and unreadable, like a dark, bottomless pit.
Outside the room, Cheryl picked up the clothes scattered on the floor and quickly got dressed. Her body ached, but she ignored the discomfort as she knelt down to gather the cash that was still lying around.
She counted it carefully, and a small smile finally broke through her tired expression. The corner of her mouth stung from a cut, making her wince, but she didn't care.
She had enough money now.
Without wasting another second, Cheryl grabbed the cash and rushed straight to the hospital.
...
The next morning, in the parking lot of Yates Corporation, Jenson sat in the back of his SUV while dressed in a sharp navy blue suit.
His eyes were fixed on the building's entrance as he waited for Suzanne to show up. His fingers tapped impatiently on the armrest, a clear sign of his growing frustration.
After saving Suzanne the other day, he thought they had grown closer. But she'd been distant ever since, barely responding to his texts.
His last project had wrapped up, and he still hadn't picked a new script. If Suzanne didn't help him soon, he'd be stuck in a career slump. For someone on the rise like Jenson, that was a nightmare.
He checked his watch and saw that it was 9:30 am. She should've been at work by now. He couldn't wait any longer.
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