o that so-called "fiancé" of hers-who broke up with her the moment her family hit financial trouble. Lena st

ide left her feeling sick to he

e'd only learned how to use public transportation a few days ago. Even though she was adopted,

ldn't even afford gas, let alone a

g against a red sports car. She didn't need to see his face to know who it was; she knew this person all too well, as loud and showy

ep voice rea

o that easily. Shooting him a glare, she said coldly,

casually, his relaxed stance highlighted by the warm streetlight refle

just left, he could easily gue

ing her. The frustration she'd held bac

tinged with a trace of anger. Her long, wavy, light-brown hair swayed as she glared up

meet his gaze, but she wasn't about to back down. "D

attitude. I was just concerned about you, y

a long time, yes, but th

lar industries, and they were close in age. Their rivalry started when they first met at six years old, in one summer incident

Lena. But by high school, his height and buil

m, each one squeezed out through gritted teeth. "I'm sure you

l estate, though recently they'

r-leveraged, and that's what led to your financial crisis. It's a shame we've lost a compet

on't need you

ween them thick

of all people, would go crawling to your so-called fiancé... o

Alaric had warned Lena about him three years ago, bu

Lena gave him a once-over. Wasn

though he saw no need to explain that to her. "Honestly, you

her, clea

ust told her a joke. "You think I

ric expected, and he didn't mind.

just offer help out of kindness. "So what, you want to use me so

"Of course I'd want something in

pearing on her lips. "Then maybe it's you who should be askin

gazes locked, an unspoken challenge to see who would break

cket, pulling out a cigarette. With a click of his lighter, a

n't have gone to Stellan if you had any other o

e, stepped back. Alaric's calm fa

flickering in her eyes. "No thanks.

ong day, and sh

ly. "If you change your mind, yo

ised a middle finger over her

wallowed he