The silence in the penthouse was unnerving.
It wasn’t just the size of the place, or the cool minimalism of Nolan’s style—it was the way it always seemed to hold its breath when he was home. Watching. Waiting. Like it knew something was always about to happen.
I shifted on the leather couch, my phone pressed to my ear. “Yes, I understand. But if I can just get a one-month extension, I swear I’ll pay the balance—”
The line clicked.
Disconnected.
I let out a long, shaky breath and dropped the phone into my lap. My chest tightened, and shame curled in my gut like poison. I had exhausted every option. Scholarships? Gone. Part-time gigs? Maxed out. And now, with just two days left before my college account was frozen, I had nothing but pride—and that was wearing thin.
A glass clinked behi
