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 moment the words left her

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

quickened.

Daisy nodded.

eyes for a moment. "Honestly, I dropped out of school

"But your resume says you

Stewart helped me get there." Rosita's tone was quiet. "My mom married into the Lockwood family, but they saw

pay

school and started working to pay my own way. Luckily, Stewart came

head in

blamed me for ruining her chances at marrying into an even wealthier family. Saul was abusive,

you shouldn't keep giving her money, Rosita. She treats

voice trembled

can do?" Rosita

"She'll say anything for money. Right now, with my career on the line, I can't risk

unsure what

moment, Rosita sighed again. "Anyway, she's been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and she's HIV positive. No

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