"I don't think the Fox is gonna stop looking for us Joe." Mike said and continues. "I believe he is gonna come back." "That's the more reason why we went after the money Mike." Joe replied and continues, "That money is gonna take us somewhere far from him." "I really hope so Joe." Mike replied. Suddenly, the doctor came outside in order to speak with Mike. "Doctor is she gonna be alright?" Garry asked. "Right now she's a bit stable at the moment." The doctor replied and continues. "We got the bullet out of her leg, she needs sometime to rest." "Thank you so much doctor." Mike replied. "Can we see her now?" Garry asked. "Yeah, sure." The doctor replied and continues. "Right this way." "I'll be right back guys." Garry said as he left with the doctor. "Jessie, your mom is gonna be alright okay?" Mike said. "I can't believe this." Joe said. "Why do you mean?" Mike asked. "We need to get this little girl and her mother out of here Mike." Joe replied and continues

Inside, the room was quieter, more subdued. The stakes were higher, the risks greater. This was where fortunes were won and lost in a blink of an eye. Tonight, Troy was betting everything he had as he felt this was the only way he could be himself again. He approached the table, eyeing the other players. A few glanced up at him, trying to know if he was worthy of being there, but most kept their focus on the cards in front of them. The dealer nodded as Troy took a seat, sliding the card across, “Buy-in?” the dealer asked, his voice calm and professional. Troy hesitated for only a moment before answering. “Four hundred thousand.” Some turned to look at him again, to them that was a huge amount to be staked at once, but then what could they do, it wasn't their money, besides they had lost and staked more than that. There was a brief pause as the dealer tried to process the amount. Then, with a nod, he swiped the card and began counting out the chips. While the other players

He had believed in her, trusted her. And now, he felt as if he didn’t know her at all. “I don’t want your apology,” he said, his voice rough. “I just want my life back, but even that is impossible now.” Bethany’s eyes filled with tears, and for a moment, she looked like she might crumble under the weight of his words. But then she straightened, squaring her shoulders. “I’ll fix this,” she said, her voice stronger than before. “I’ll make it right.” Troy shook his head, his laugh devoid of humor, “You can’t fix this, Bethany. It’s all over now! I have no money!” “No, it’s not.” She stepped toward him, her hands trembling but determined. “I’ll find a way for us to get back on our feet. I will look for a job and support us.” “What job? There is nothing left for us anymore,” he said, cutting her off. “I’m done. I can’t do this anymore.” Her face fell, the last of her resolve crumbling as she stared at him, helpless. “Please,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Don’t give up on us,

***Few days later*** Bethany’s hands began to tremble as she poured the coffee, the rich yet bitter aroma filled their nostrils. There was silence between them. She could feel Troy’s eyes boring into the back of her skull, as if searching for any sign of the truth she’d been avoiding for days. She dared not meet his gaze at least not yet for fear that he would ask the question she was running away from for days now. But it seems, today she had no choice but to answer him because Troy couldn't hold it anymore. “So, how much is left?” His voice was tight, the tension that already existed between them intensified. Bethany hesitated, the words caught in her throat. Her manicured fingers fidgeted as she was lost in thoughts because the amount left with her was actually nothing. “Bethany?” Troy’s tone sharpened, “How much is fucking left?” She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. “Eighty thousand.” Troy’s voice, rising in disbelief, echoing off the walls of the apartme

Bethany's walk home was long, her feet dragging over the concrete. She passed the expensive boutiques and cafes that had once felt like second nature to her yet again, but now they only mocked her. They were so out of reach, it was more like it was part of a world she had been exiled from. She had burned bridges to go back there as she never imagined in her heart that it could ever burn so quickly, and now she had to pay the price. When she reached the apartment, she hesitated at the door. Would Troy still be inside, or had he given up on her, packed his things, and left? The thought of facing him, of hearing more of his disappointment, made her stomach turn, but there was no avoiding it. She couldn’t run anymore. Bethany pushed open the door and stepped inside. The apartment was very quiet, the emptiness was suffocating. Her heart sank as she noticed that Troy's things were still here, his jacket draped over the back of a chair, his shoes by the door but he was nowhere to be