By the time I got home that evening, I didn't even have the energy to think.
Work had drained me in a way I wasn't used to.
Not just physically—
But mentally.
Like every little thing I did had to be checked twice. Like I was being watched even when no one said anything.
I dropped my bag and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing.
For a moment, I just stayed there.
Quiet.
Still.
Then reality crept back in.
The money.
I reached for my phone and opened my account balance.
It wasn't terrible.
But it wasn't enough.
Not for everything I had to handle.
Not if I wanted to stop feeling like I was constantly behind.
I exhaled slowly, rubbing my forehead.
"I'll figure something out," I muttered.
And somehow… I did.
The next few days settled into a routine I didn't plan but couldn't avoid.
Work during the day.
Something else at night.
At first, it was small.
Helping a woman down the street package food for deliveries.
Simple work. Repetitive.
But it paid.
By the third night, my body already felt the difference.
My shoulders ached. My steps felt heavier.
But I still showed up.
Because I didn't have a choice.
That evening, I got home later than usual.
I stepped inside quietly—
Then paused.
Liam was in the living room.
He looked up when he heard me.
For a second, neither of us spoke.
Then he stood.
"Hey…"
His voice wasn't sharp.
Wasn't distant.
Just… normal.
"Hey," I replied.
An awkward silence followed.
He rubbed the back of his neck slightly.
"I've been meaning to talk to you."
I leaned my bag against the wall.
"About what?"
He hesitated.
Then sighed.
"Everything."
Something in me softened a little.
"I've been off," he continued. "I know that."
I crossed my arms lightly, waiting.
"I didn't mean to shut you out," he added. "I just… had stuff going on and didn't know how to deal with it."
"You could have talked to me," I said quietly.
"I know," he replied quickly. "I should have."
A pause.
"I'll do better," he said.
I let out a small breath.
"You better."
That earned a faint smile from him.
And just like that…
Things between us eased.
Not perfect.
But better.
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"Not yet."
"I'll fix something," he said, already heading toward the kitchen.
I watched him go.
And for the first time in a while…
Home didn't feel heavy.
The next morning, I walked into the office with the same mindset.
Focus.
Stay sharp.
But something felt different.
"Freeda."
I turned.
Clara stood a few steps away.
"Come with me."
My stomach tightened slightly as I followed her into her office.
She closed the door behind us.
Then turned to face me.
"The file you corrected," she said. "I reviewed it."
I stayed quiet.
"It was accurate."
That surprised me.
"But there were changes made before it got to me."
"I noticed," I said carefully.
Her eyes stayed on me for a second.
"Good," she said.
Then, calmly—
"It's been handled."
I blinked.
"Handled?"
"Becky has been issued a warning."
For a moment, I didn't react.
Then it sank in.
So I hadn't imagined it.
Clara didn't say anything else.
Just placed another file in front of me.
"Continue your work."
I nodded and stepped out of her office.
Across the room, Becky sat at her desk.
Working like nothing had happened.
Then she looked up.
Our eyes met.
No smile this time.
Just something sharp.
Something quiet.
Something that said this wasn't over.
I looked away first.
Because now I understood something clearly—
Work wasn't just about doing your job well.
Sometimes…
It was about surviving the people around you.
That night, I got home late again.
Later than the day before.
My body ached, and my hands still smelled faintly of food and plastic packaging.
Liam was already asleep.
The house was quiet.
I dropped my bag and sat on the bed, not even bothering to change.
For a moment, I just stared at the wall.
Then slowly, I reached for my phone.
Opened my account.
The numbers stared back at me.
A little higher than before.
Not enough.
But not nothing either.
I let out a tired breath and leaned back.
This was what it was going to be now.
Work in the morning.
Another job at night.
Repeat.
Until everything was settled.
My eyes slowly closed—
But just before sleep took over, a thought slipped in.
What if something goes wrong?
What if I mess up here…
Or there…
Or both?
I opened my eyes again.
Just for a second.
Because deep down—
I knew this wasn't sustainable.
But I didn't have a choice.
And somehow…
That felt more dangerous than Blake ever did.