Page 18 of Isabela

I’m dumbfounded as I gaze at his perfect hair and his seemingly perfect life. “Why are you telling me this?” I ask. “Aren’t these things, I don’t know, secret?”

Pulling out a card from his desk, he hands it to me. “You’re being formally invited to join us. Think about what that could mean,” he says as he hands me the bottle of miraculous lotion as well.

“Nothing will change,” I say sadly. “I’m just trying to survive, and no one can save me.”

Turning, I walk away quickly, dropping the water in the wastebasket.

“Isabel,” Dr. Murphy growls.

“That’s a good effort, but you can’t call me that either, Sir,” I call over my shoulder as I leave.

My mind reels at his words. My phone buzzes as I hit the button to call the elevator. Just because my head feels better, doesn’t mean the rest of my body does. I plan to practically bathe in this lotion, so I can grade some papers for a class.

Picking up my phone, I know it’s my uncle. He’s the only one who ever calls me.

“Good afternoon, Uncle Eli,” I greet him as I turn and lean against the wall. I can’t enter the elevator yet, because he would lose his shit if I lost cell signal.

“Good afternoon. I’m surprised you’re picking up the phone. It’s been days since I’ve heard from you,” he admonishes.

“I’ve been asleep for most of the week, Uncle,” I tell him honestly.

“Pshh. I didn’t hit you that hard,” he scoffs. I remember he hit my head multiple times on the floor before I finally lost most of my consciousness, but whatever. I have a bruise on my forehead I’m attempting to hide with makeup currently to show for it.

“How can I help you?” I ask, wanting to get this call over with.

“When are you withdrawing from the university?” he asks.

“Excuse me? I am not withdrawing, Uncle. My teachers are all allowing me to get the notes for my lectures,” I explain to him. “The bruising is pretty terrible, and everyone feels awful I’ve had such a horrific car accident.”

My uncle is quiet for a moment, and I swallow hard as I wait for him to explode.

“Clever girl,” he rumbles. “Let’s see how well you juggle your schedule as well as your book keeping duties for the company. I expect you to do this for free as your penance for fucking up my deal with the mayor. And Isabela?”

Taking a breath, I whisper, “Yes?”

Dr. Murphy steps out of his office across from me, locking his door, his gaze finding me quickly. His brows raise and I show him my phone apologetically.

Nodding, he taps a society card onto his palm to remind me about our conversation.

Everyone wants something from me. He said himself that everything comes with a price tag. Jesus, it would be nice to have someone do something nice just because. Giving him my back, I wait for my uncle to respond.

“Mayor Markship will be collecting you for two weeks at the end of April, Isabela. You’re merely delaying the inevitable,” Uncle Eli informs me.

“How can you do this to me? I’m your niece,” I hiss in horror.

“I need money, and you don’t have any say in this. I plan on loaning you out to all of my powerful friends,” he chuckles. “You should also keep your mouth shut if you find any more money missing from the company, girl. Bye now.”

I’m still standing there as I hear the dead air as he hangs up on me. I’m in absolute shock and can’t blank my features fast enough when Dr. Murphy circles around me, saying my name. I think he’s been saying it at least a couple of times based on his raised tone.

“What?” I ask, struggling to understand why he’s looking at me like that.

“Who were you just talking to, Isabela?” he asks again.

“No one,” I tell him, shaking my head before I answer him. He’ll just continue to badger me otherwise. “My uncle was checking to see how I was. I’m fine.”

Moving around him, I hit the elevator call button, feeling odd. The world sways and I hold tightly to the wall.

“Then why are you shaking right now? You’re also crying,” he points out.

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