ELIANA'S POV
The golden boy needed something from the girl his world destroyed—and he was willing to pay.
Get inside before someone sees you, Eliana hissed, grabbing Carter's arm and yanking him through the bakery's back door.
He stumbled into the kitchen, looking completely wrong among the flour-dusted counters and discount mixing bowls. His football jersey probably cost more than everything in this room combined.
You have five minutes, Eliana said, crossing her arms. Then I'm calling security.
I need to hire you.
She laughed—sharp and bitter. Hire me? For what? Target practice for your girlfriend? Oh wait, she already did that.
Carter's jaw tightened. Sienna's not my girlfriend. Not anymore.
Right. Because breaking up with her totally erases the fact that you stood there and watched while she destroyed my life. Eliana's voice rose. You didn't say one word. Didn't defend me. Didn't even look sorry.
I know. His voice cracked. I know, and I hate myself for it. But this isn't about me, or Sienna, or what happened. This is about Lily.
Your sister.
Yes. Carter pulled out his phone with shaking hands. She's eight years old. She has leukemia. This is her third relapse, and the doctors say— He stopped, swallowed hard. They say she doesn't have much time left.
He showed her the screen. The little girl from the earlier photo smiled up at her—bald head, oxygen tubes, but eyes bright with hope that didn't know it was supposed to give up.
Something twisted in Eliana's chest.
I'm sorry about your sister, she said quietly. But what does that have to do with me?
My parents left for Europe. Three-month business tour. They hired caretakers, but they all quit. Carter's hands were shaking so badly he almost dropped the phone. They can't handle watching a kid die. The last one lasted four days before she walked out crying.
That's awful, but
You're smart. Patient. Kind. The words tumbled out desperate and fast. Lily met you two years ago at the school fundraiser. She still talks about you. Says you were the only person who treated her like a normal kid instead of a sick one.
Eliana barely remembered that day. A quick conversation about her glitter pencil case with a cute little girl in a wheelchair. Nothing special.
I talked to her for five minutes, Eliana said. That doesn't mean I'm qualified to—
You're more qualified than anyone else. Carter stepped closer, and she saw it clearly now—the cracks in his perfect mask. I've been taking care of her alone for three years. I'm drowning. I need help. Real help. Someone who won't run when it gets hard.
And you think that's me? The scholarship girl everyone laughs at?
I think you're the strongest person I've ever met. His voice went soft. You survived what Sienna did. Most people would've shattered. But you're still standing.
Barely.
That's still more than I'm doing. Carter pulled an envelope from his jacket. Ten thousand dollars. Three months. Live-in caretaker. Help me keep my sister alive long enough for the new treatment to work.
Eliana stared at the envelope like it might explode. Ten thousand—are you insane?
I'm desperate.
This is crazy. Your parents would never
My parents don't care. They send money and call it love. Bitterness dripped from every word. I have access to household accounts. This is my money anyway. Money they throw at me to make up for never being there.
Ten thousand dollars. The number echoed in Eliana's head. That was three months of rent on the bakery. New equipment for her dad. Marketing budget for her mom. It was survival.
But it also meant living with Carter Ashford. The boy who'd watched her burn.
Why me? Eliana demanded. You could hire professional nurses. Real caretakers. Why the girl your girlfriend destroyed?
Ex-girlfriend. And because Lily likes you. Because you're real, not fake-nice like everyone else. Because I trust you.
You don't even know me.
I know you tutored Dylan Chen for free last year because his parents cut him off. I know you help Mrs. Martinez with her English homework every Thursday in the library. I know you leave cookies from your parents' bakery in Coach Reynolds' office because he mentioned once that he misses homemade food. Carter's voice went rough. You think you're invisible, but I see you. I've always seen you.
The admission hung between them like a live wire.
Eliana's heart pounded. That doesn't change what you did. What you didn't do.
I know. And I can't take it back. But I can make it right. I can give you enough money to save your parents' bakery. I can— He stopped, jaw working. Please. I'm begging you. Lily doesn't deserve to die alone with only me fumbling through this.
Through the kitchen window, Eliana saw her father counting the register with tired eyes. Saw her mother boxing up unsold pastries to give away because throwing away food felt wrong even when they couldn't afford the loss.
Ten thousand dollars.
If I say yes, Eliana said slowly, we're not friends. This is strictly business.
Hope flared in Carter's eyes. Whatever you want.
I stay in my own room. We don't talk unless it's about Lily. At school, we pretend this arrangement doesn't exist.
Done.
And the second your parents come back, I'm gone. No extensions. No complications.
Agreed.
Eliana took the envelope. Opened it. Inside were neat stacks of hundred-dollar bills and a contract on official letterhead. Live-in caretaker. Three months. All terms clearly listed.
Her hands trembled holding that much money.
My driver will pick you up tomorrow at six AM, Carter said, and his relief was so visible it made him look younger. Vulnerable. Pack for three months. Lily's excited to meet you properly.
He headed for the door.
Carter? Eliana's voice stopped him. Why did you really break up with Sienna?
He turned, and something fierce flashed in his eyes. Because I finally saw who she really is. And I was ashamed that I stayed with her as long as I did.
He left through the back door.
Eliana stood alone in the kitchen, holding ten thousand dollars and a deal with the devil. Through the front window, she watched Carter jog across the street to where a sleek black Mercedes was parked illegally in a loading zone.
The passenger door opened.
Sienna Cross stepped out.
Even from this distance, Eliana could see her perfectly styled hair, her cheerleader jacket, her furious expression. She grabbed Carter's arm, yanking him close. Her mouth moved—yelling, clearly yelling.
Carter pulled away. Sienna grabbed him again.
Then Sienna's head turned, and her gaze locked directly on the bakery window.
On Eliana.
Their eyes met across the street, and Sienna's smile was pure poison. She pulled out her phone, snapped a photo of the bakery, then typed something fast.
Carter was still arguing with her, clearly trying to leave.
Sienna showed him her phone screen.
Whatever was on it made Carter's face go white. He grabbed for the phone. Sienna danced back, laughing, and got into the Mercedes.
Carter stood frozen on the sidewalk for three long seconds. Then he looked at the bakery—at Eliana watching through the window—and his expression was pure terror.
He mouthed two words: I'm sorry.
Then he got in the car, and the Mercedes peeled away into the night.
Eliana's phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:Enjoy working for my boyfriend, scholarship whale. This should be entertaining. PS - say goodbye to your bakery's health rating. Anonymous tip going in tomorrow morning. S