MATURE

Life hasn’t been kind to me. One moment, I was a carefree eighteen-year-old with dreams of a bright future. The next, I was a 28 year old lady and my world went up in flames. literally. My mom died in the fire that destroyed our home, my little sister is in a coma, and my brother’s in jail for trying to keep us afloat. My dad? He left us drowning in debt and despair.

I thought I’d hit rock bottom, but then I found myself working in a place where dreams go to die, doing things I never imagined just to survive. That’s when he walked into my life, Alex Romanov. Dangerous. Mysterious. And entirely out of my league.

He’s everything I should fear, but there’s something about him that draws me in. Maybe it’s the way he looks at me like I’m more than just another broken soul. Or the way he makes me feel alive when I thought I’d forgotten how.

But Alex has secrets, dark ones that could destroy us both. And as my past collides with his world, I’m left wondering: Can I trust the man who’s slowly stealing my heart, or will his darkness swallow me whole?

This isn’t the life I wanted, but it’s the one I’ve been given.

The next day, I woke up feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Yesterday had gone better than I expected, but I knew I still had a long way to go before I could call myself a confident driver. I took my time getting ready, slipping into a comfortable outfit and tying my hair back so it wouldn't get in my way.


When I stepped outside, Donald was already waiting for me beside the car, a friendly smile on his face.


"Morning, Bella. Ready for round two?" he asked, tossing me the keys.


I caught them, my heart skipping a beat. "I guess we'll find out."


Donald chuckled and motioned for me to get in. I slid into the driver's seat, adjusting my posture and gripping the wheel tightly. Taking a deep breath, I started the engine. The familiar hum of the car filled my ears, grounding me.


Chapter 162 - 162