On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 26

They were the most unreliable creatures on the planet. You could depend on a rock, a river, even a pig, but never a man.

Jessica took a sip of her coffee. She remembered the first time she’d tried an Americano, back when she was sixteen or seventeen. It was so bitter it had brought tears to her eyes. Lance and her four cousins had gathered around her, dabbing her tears, full of concern.

Lance had pinched her cheek and smiled. “The bitterest thing Jessica will ever have to endure in her life is this iced Americano.”

Who could have known back then that all the storms in her future would be brought on by them? It wasn’t even Catherine who suggested the psychiatric hospital. It was them. They were the ones who had sent her to that filthy, degrading place without a second thought.

“If you’re not worried about appearances,” Rebecca said, “I can get you a job.”

Jessica looked at her, a flicker of hope in her eyes.

Rebecca pulled a business card from her purse and slid it across the table. “This is the owner of a club called ‘A Story.’ You’d be a bottle girl. The commission is five percent. Sell a ten-thousand-dollar bottle, you make five hundred. It’s not a long-term plan, but it’ll keep you on your feet for now.”

Jessica picked up the simple card and put it in her purse.

“Thank you, Rebecca.”

“Good luck.”

Rebecca stood up and left, as brisk and decisive as ever.

Jessica finished her coffee alone, planning to head home. She wouldn’t resort to selling drinks in a club unless she was truly out of options. She still had her pride.

Half an hour later, she learned that pride didn’t pay the bills.

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