By the time Anna stepped out of Wilsmith's office building, her chest was heavy with a swirl of emotions. The echo of her own words—Deal—still rang in her head. She had spoken with confidence, but now that the cool air hit her face, reality caught up with her nerves.
Her fingers clenched around her bag strap.
Anna, you wanted this. So don't you dare let fear stop you now.
She had no other choice. If she wanted to survive on her own, if she truly wanted to find Kathrine, she needed money. Her dream of becoming an actress was no longer just a dream—it was her only escape from the cage her parents had built for her.
Anna drew a deep breath, steadying herself, when a sudden vibration in her pocket startled her.
Buzz—Buzz.
She stopped on the sidewalk, pulling out her phone. The screen lit up with a name that instantly eased her shoulders—Betty.
Without wasting a second, she swiped and answered. "Hello?"
