Another Chance for the Luna Queen

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Eventually, out of desperation, she had called Diana. Her aunt had agreed to pay for housing on one condition: that she return to the South.

Now, here she was, in the capital, feeling like a ghost in a place that no longer belonged to her. Every day, she lived in fear of running into Alexander.

And now, Diana was pressuring her to come forward—not to Alexander directly, but to the press.

The very thought made Sabrina sick to her stomach.

Alexander was a happily married man with an incredible future ahead of him. She didn't want to hurt him, and she certainly didn't want to use her child. But given the position she was in, could she really afford to refuse?

She needed someone to step in and help her. She had to put her daughter's needs first. She was working hard to make money, but with her limited skills and experience, it was difficult.

"I know that it's a lot to ask," Diana said.

"Too much," Sabrina responded.

Diana's expression hardened, the kindness vanishing from her voice. "You're asking me for a handout, and I'm telling you this is the condition," she said harshly. "Take it or don't-but I don't see how you're going to care for your daughter on your own. You're barely qualified to wait tables."

She stood abruptly and strode to the door, making a show of flourishing her expensive coat as she put it on.

"Don't call me again until you've made a choice," she said over her shoulder.

As Diana disappeared out the door, Sabrina rubbed her temples. This was a terrible arrangement, and she knew it.

Part of her wanted to go to Alexander and tell him everything—but why would he believe her?

She had hurt him in such a cold, final way. He probably never wanted to see her again.

No, she was sure she wouldn't even be granted a meeting if she tried.

She had to figure this out on her own.

The door to the small bedroom creaked open, and Sabrina watched as her daughter rubbed the sleep from her bright eyes and padded toward the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mommy," Lexie said. Her bright eyes studied Sabrina for a moment before she frowned. "You didn't go to sleep on time, did you?" she asked in a scolding tone.

Sabrina smiled. "No, I didn't," she admitted. "I'm sorry."

"You have a bedtime for a reason," the little girl chided.

Sabrina couldn't help but smile. It was a line she had used on Lexie more than once.

"I know, Lexie," she said.

The little girl frowned deeper, studying her mother's tired face. She knewnoveldrama

something was wrong, something that made her mother sad and quiet.

She missed their home, and she knew her mother did too. But this felt bigger-like one of those big secrets that adults liked to keep.

Her great-aunt kept visiting, and every time she did, it made her mother upset. Lexie didn't like Great-Aunt Diana. She spoke in a sweet voice, but it never reached her eyes.

There was something about her that made Lexie feel afraid.

"Come on, let's get breakfast," Sabrina said, breaking the little girl out of her thoughts.

Sabrina went to the kitchenette and pulled out a box of cereal. She was running out of food again.

She sighed, the weight of it pressing on her chest. She was running out of time.

As much as she didn't want to hurt Alexander, she didn't see a better way out.

She would have to make a decision soon-whether she wanted to or not.