Wolfless, Unbroken Abandoned novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Laura’s voice cut sharply through the tension, but Georgia’s gaze stayed calm, resting steadily on her agitated roommate.

“If you

don’t need money, then why are you working at the Vetro Club?” Georgia asked evenly, devoid of emotion.

Laura hesitated, then snapped, “I work there as a waitress. You know my family’s situation. I need money for tuition and

living expenses.”

Her eyes burned with contempt as she stared at Georgia like she was beneath notice. “I’m not like you. I have limits. I won’t do just anything for money.”

–

Georgia smiled quietly. Laura claimed she had boundaries, but that wasn’t true. Georgia’s only limit was survival.

“Stop smiling,” Laura demanded, stamping her foot. “Listen to me. Earning money by sacrificing your dignity is pointless. People will despise you. No one will respect you.”

She finished with a cold snort and turned away.

Georgia stood there a moment longer before retreating to her room, drained.

Laura’s words echoed relentlessly in her mind.

She smiled softly.

She earned what she could to fill her stomach and keep a roof overhead. She didn’t want to live on the streets. That was

all

Georgia had helped Laura before. Had she known it would cause such a storm, would she have done it again?

Her thoughts spiraled as sleep claimed her.

When Georgia woke, she found herself in a hospital bed.

“You’re awake.”

Her eyes fluttered open to see Charlotte sitting nearby. Her throat burned painfully as she croaked, “Charlotte, where am

12”

“You’re in the hospital, Charlotte said, cutting an apple into small pieces and feeding one to Georgia. “Eat a little. We’ll talk

later.”

The sweetness was unfamiliar on her tongue, but Georgia chewed slowly. “Why am I here?”

high fe

Charlotte’s face grew serious. “How many days have you had a high fever?”

Charlotte explained she hadn’t seen Georgia at the club the night before, Worried, she had checked the dorm and found Georgia burning with fever. The doctor said if they’d arrived any later, no one could have saved her.

Tears welled unbidden after years of dryness. Charlotte’s care cracked a window in her heart, letting in fragile light.

Charlotte’s own history mirrored Georgia’s pain–maybe her words were a balm for herself, too.

Charlotte paused, fork hovering near her mouth. Then she placed the apple slice in Georgia’s mouth and said, “But you. didn’t kill her, did you?”

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