Daisy followed Rosita's instructions and returned from the pharmacy with a small bag of first aid supplies.

Rosita showed her how to clean the wound and wrap the bandage, her hands steady despite the pain. Once Daisy finished bandaging her up, she hesitated, glancing at Rosita as if she wanted to say something but couldn't quite find the words.

Rosita saw right through her and sighed. "I have depression," she admitted quietly.

Daisy pressed her lips together, unsurprised. She'd suspected as much.

"Please, just keep this between us, okay?" Rosita's voice was earnest, her eyes searching Daisy's. "No one else can know about my condition. I'm on medication, and it hardly ever gets this bad anymore."

Daisy looked at her, concern etched into her face. "Rosita, you really should see a doctor."

"I am." Rosita gave a weary, lopsided smile. "You see me most days, don't you? I seem fine. It's just... my mother won't leave me alone."

Daisy knew Lauren had been hounding Rosita for money again lately-large sums, every single time.

With a sigh, Daisy couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer. "Rosita, what exactly does Ms. Lynn have on you? Why does she have this kind of hold?"

She genuinely wanted to help, to share the burden if she could.

the words left her mouth, Rosita's expression

sudden shift. "I—I just heard Ms. Lynn mention something about a secret from when you were seventeen, that day I left

quickened.

Daisy nodded.

for a moment. "Honestly, I

resume says you graduated

tone was quiet. "My mom married into the

pay for

my mother never defended me. So at seventeen, I quit school and started working to pay my own way. Luckily, Stewart came along, and thanks to him, I was able

in disbelief.

was abusive, and she blamed all her misery on me-as if my existence alone

giving her money, Rosita. She treats you like

voice trembled

can do?"

sounding exhausted. "She'll say anything for money. Right now, with my career

fell silent, unsure what to

been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and she's HIV positive. No matter how awful

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