{"id":16988,"date":"2025-10-26T21:07:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T21:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=16988"},"modified":"2025-10-26T21:07:41","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T21:07:41","slug":"16988","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=16988","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

I blinked. \u201cWhat?\u201d I asked, but it came out softer than I meant.<\/p>\n

He smiled, thinking I hadn\u2019t heard the transfers. \u201cHope it\u2019s making life easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

My heart clenched. \u201cGrant,\u201d I said. \u201cSteady, but low. I\u2019m working two jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n

His smile faltered. \u201cI clean the courthouse three mornings a week, and I shelve books at the library six nights out of seven. I haven\u2019t seen a dollar from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

From across the yard, Sabine\u2019s head turned. Her wine glass, midair, tipped slightly in her hand. For a second, everything seemed to slow. The servers paused. The laughter dimmed. Even the birds quieted. Her gaze met mine. I watched something flicker behind her eyes. Not surprise, not concern\u2014calculation.<\/p>\n

Grant\u2019s arm dropped from my shoulder. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His brow furrowed as he looked toward his wife, confusion settling in like fog. Sabine slowly turned her back to us and disappeared into the house.<\/p>\n

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I blinked. \u201cWhat?\u201d I asked, but it came out softer than I meant. He smiled, thinking I hadn\u2019t heard the transfers. \u201cHope it\u2019s making life easier.\u201d My heart clenched. \u201cGrant,\u201d I said. \u201cSteady, but low. I\u2019m working two jobs.\u201d His smile faltered. \u201cI clean the courthouse three mornings a week, and I shelve books at…<\/p>\n

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