Having nowhere else to go but to his own space Troy got into a cab with hopes that his aunt would have some money to pay the cab driver. He was used to driving around and he couldn't walk for a long period of time. He finally got to his aunt's house, he came down and the cab driver uttered; “You are yet to pay for the trip!” “Give me a moment, let me go in and bring cash.” He uttered and went into the house. “Good evening aunt!” He greeted but was met with a cold stare and expression from the older woman. The large, dimly lit living room feels colder than usual, the fading sunlight casting eerie shadows across the walls. Naomi Reece was pacing furiously near the fireplace. A framed picture of her in her judge’s robe sits on the mantle, but the warmth and pride it once held now felt distant as that isn't who she was going to be known as any longer. Troy stands near the door, arms crossed, his face resolute but weary. He watched as Naomi twirls around to face him, her expres
"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
Troy Reece late that night decided it would be best to go to an ATM machine to find out how much was left in that credit card he was holding so as to know his next step! Staring at the stolen credit card in his hand. The numbers were printed boldly in silver, catching the dim light of the streetlamp outside. He inserted it into the ATM machine and it was Four hundred thousand dollars. Not enough to change his life. It wasn’t even his, but then again, what was left of his life that he could call his own? His achievements, his marriage, his reputation—gone, all thanks to Bethany. He hadn’t meant for things to spiral so far out of control. But when Bethany had walked into his life, everything he thought he knew about stability, about self-control, had collapsed. She had reignited that fire inside him, the thrill, the risk, the desire for more which had spiraled into his doom. He had nothing now, not a single thing! But now that he was being helpless the thoughts that h
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
Troy’s boots as he made his way up the winding driveway to Bethany’s house. The night was eerily quiet, no one was walking on the road except him. The air was heavy with the kind of stillness that came before a storm. His breath came in short, sharp bursts, more from the tension coiling in his chest than the physical exertion of the walk. With every step, memories of the past weeks gnawed at him… the panic, the sinking realization that everything he had was no more was disheartening and it was all because of her. The soft glow of light from Bethany’s kitchen window felt mocking. He reached the front door, standing still for a moment, his knuckles white as his fists clenched at his sides. He had nowhere else to go. Nowhere else to turn. But the thought of being here, in this place, after everything, set his blood boiling. Troy raised his hand and knocked, once and then twice. Then the sound of footsteps and Bethany’s face appeared in the door, her eyes widening when she saw
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,
Suddenly Joe and the rest of the team walks in to get Clary out of the hospital. "What's the meaning of this Mike?" Garry asked. "Calm down Garry, I know she's supposed to be here at the hospital but the risk is far greater than you think." "What do you mean by risk Mike?" Garry asked and continues. "Can you please go straight to the point and stop beating around the bush because you're making me go crazy right now!" He blurted out. "My point is, Clary and Jessie's life are in danger if they remain at this hospital Garry." Mike replied and continues. "We need to get them out of here before something bad happens." "Are we going back to Joe's place?" Garry asked. "Not at all Garry." Mike replied and added; "We're changing our location." "You guys found a place already?" Garry asked. "Joe is faster than you think Garry." Mike replied. "So that's where we're headed now?" Garry asked. "Yeah." Mike replied and continues. "We have to stay low for a while." "Let me get this straigh
***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