chapter one

By the time Annie Williams turned onto her street, all she wanted was a hot shower, a decent meal, and some peace.

Instead, she found a black SUV parked outside her family's house.

She recognized the personalized license plate immediately.

Derek Halloway.

"You're kidding me," she muttered.

For almost two years, Derek had made her family's life miserable over a debt her late father had left behind. Rugged, broad-shouldered, and perpetually impatient, he had a talent for turning every conversation into a confrontation.

As Annie climbed the front steps, his raised voice drifted through the living room window.

"How many times are we going to have this conversation, Mrs. Williams?"

She entered to find her mother standing beside the old sofa, her fingers clasped nervously. The strained smile on her face told Annie everything. Her mother was trying not to cry.

"I'm not refusing to pay," her mother explained. "I'm asking for more time."

Derek scoffed. "Your husband has been dead for nearly two years. How much longer are you planning to use that as an excuse?"

"That's enough."

Both turned toward Annie.

Derek smirked. "Look who decided to join us."

"Yeah, I live here. Funny how that works."

"Annie," her mother warned.

Annie ignored her. She was exhausted from work, and watching this man humiliate her mother was the last thing she needed.

"I'm sorry," she said, forcing herself to remain calm. "I'm tired, and I don't appreciate you speaking to my mother like that. Can we handle this without the insults?"

"Insults? Sweetheart, if I wanted to insult your mother, you'd know it."

Annie clenched her jaw.

"Then let's stick to the money. That's what you're here for, isn't it?"

"Finally. Someone who understands."

Derek pulled a folded document from his jacket.

"Your father borrowed a substantial amount from me and signed an agreement to repay it. He failed to do so before he died. I've given your family enough time, and I'm done waiting."

Annie knew the agreement by heart. Her father had borrowed the money when his business was struggling, believing one final investment would turn everything around. Instead, the business collapsed, and his death left his family with the consequences.

She missed him, but she couldn't deny the resentment she sometimes felt toward him.

"How much time are you giving us?" she asked.

"Three months."

Annie stared at him.

"That's impossible."

"Then find a way."

Her salary at Whitmore Global already went toward the mortgage, utilities, groceries, her mother's medication, and her younger siblings' school expenses. There was barely anything left to save.

"You're asking me to support my family and repay a debt my salary couldn't clear in a year, all within three months."

"Your family's finances aren't my concern."

"And your impatience doesn't magically put money in my bank account."

The words escaped before she could stop them.

Derek's expression hardened.

Annie took a breath. She couldn't afford to make things worse.

"I'm not asking you to forget the debt. I know you want your money, and I'm willing to pay. But three months isn't realistic. Give me enough time to make a workable plan."

"People always have a plan when they don't have the money."

"And people who refuse to listen keep having the same conversation."

Derek stepped closer.

"I lent your father that money because he promised to repay me. He didn't. Now I'm the one who's been inconvenienced."

Annie's hands curled into fists.

Her father was dead, her mother was terrified of losing their home, and her siblings depended on her. Yet Derek spoke as though his inconvenience mattered more than their suffering.

"Shouting at my mother won't change what happened," she replied. "Give me a year. I'll make regular payments and do everything possible to settle the balance."

"A year?" Derek laughed. "Absolutely not. Three months."

Annie glanced at her mother, whose knuckles had turned pale from clasping her hands so tightly.

Her pride suddenly seemed insignificant.

"Okay."

Her mother turned sharply. "Annie, honey—"

"Six months," Annie said, facing Derek. "Give me six months, and I'll pay you."

She had no idea how she'd manage it, but she couldn't bear to watch her mother beg any longer.

Derek studied her before nodding.

"Six months. But don't mistake this for kindness. I expect the first payment next month and regular updates. If you fail to keep your word, I'll pursue every legal option available, including forcing the sale of this property to recover what I'm owed."

Annie's stomach tightened.

"You said six months."

"And you agreed."

Derek tucked the document into his jacket and headed for the door. Before leaving, he paused beside her.

"You seem like a smart young woman. Don't make promises you can't keep just because you're upset. Life doesn't care how hard you're trying."

Annie wanted to tell him exactly what she thought of him, but she forced a tight smile.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Derek left, and she watched his SUV disappear down the street.

"Unbelievable," she whispered.

Her mother approached quietly.

"Annie, we really do owe him the money."

"That doesn't give him the right to treat you like that, Mom."

Annie ran her hands through her hair. She was tired of the debt, tired of pretending she wasn't frightened, and tired of being the person everyone depended on whenever something went wrong.

Now she had six months to save their home.

She had promised to repay a debt her salary couldn't cover in a year simply because she couldn't stand watching her mother being humiliated.

And the worst part was that Derek Halloway had left believing he had done them a favor.

Annie closed her eyes.

She had absolutely no idea how she would keep her promise.

But she had made it.

And Annie Williams had never been good at walking away from the people who needed her, even when saving them meant putting herself last.