Chapter 91


    Manny stood at the front doot ringing the bell repeatedly, yet he got no answer. His worry crept up to a


    boiling point, and he was moments away from dialing 911 when the door finally creaked open.


    What he saw next nearly sent chills down his spine Quintessa, pale as a ghost and trembling, stood on


    the threshold. It looked like the had just stepped out of the shower, with her hair still dripping; her body


    was weak and shaking


    Manny quickly reached out, grabbing Quintessa’s hand and steadying her as he guided her inside.


    “What’s wrong with you? Stomach acting up again?


    Quintessa didn’t answer his question. “Got a smoke? I need one.


    Will a dude’s brand do?


    Surre


    Manny fumbled in his pockets and extracted his own pack of cigarettes, then he carefully pulled one


    out and offered it to Quintessa before flicking his lighter and igniting the tip.


    Back to the days she was abroad, whenever her stomach was unbearably painful, Quintessa would


    smoke. It wasn’t addiction; it was a


    habit.


    Manny watched her with a mix of fear and concern. “Quinn, you look terrible. How are you feeling?”


    Quintessa blew a smoke ring and said, “Fetch me some antacids, will you?”


    The pain in her stomach was severe, and the harsh scent of the cigarette did little to ease her


    difort.


    I can’t just do that, Manny objected. “You’re in bad shape, and this isn’t the first time. I’m taking you to


    the hospital for a check–up. I have a rtive who works there, and they can skip the lines for us.”


    Quintessa nced at Manny. After the ordeal with Tyrone, the slightest warmth from Manny was


    something she didn’t want to reject.


    “Alright,” she conceded.


    *Shall we head out now?” Manny asked.


    “Okay,” she nodded in agreement.


    Quintessa went to the restroom to change her clothes. When she returned, Manny caught a glimpse of


    marks on her neck and quickly looked away; in the meantime he felt anger stirring within him. ‘What


    kind of man is Tyrone to treat Quinn like that?‘ he thought.


    On the way to the hospital, Quintessa rested with her eyes closed to conserve energy. Manny knew


    she was in pain–deep, relentless pain that kept her from sleeping. Yet, she never cried out or


    comined.


    Manny broke the silence. “Quinn, 1–I ran into Mr. York downstairs.”


    “Mhm.”


    “I’m sorry, but I told him about our n to frame Jerome.”


    A coldugh escaped Quintessa. Tyrone must know by now that she was innocent–or at least, he


    wouldn’t think she was. Guys like him always believe they’re right. In his eyes, it was her fault for


    approaching Jerome in the first ce and she deserved whatever came her


    way.


    Quintessa mused slowly, “It was my mistake, thinking I could y a man like that. I forgot he was never


    someone I could handle.” She couldn’t let Tyrone win, but swallowing her pride wasn’t an option either.


    She’d make Tyrone fall for her, deeply and desperately.


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    A smirk formed on her lips. She was confident she could do it.


    Tyrone, one day I’ll get the better of you. Just you wait and see.


    At the hospital, Manny found his rtive and quickly got Quintessa registered ahead of others.


    The doctor examined her and warned, “You can’t ignore this gastric problem. If it worsens, you might


    end up with a perforation. Eat on time, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and stay away from alcohol.”