Chapter 8

HAYLEY

I stood in front of the mirror, my heart pounding with nerves as I adjusted the strap of the impossibly high heels that were a staple of Harriet's wardrobe. I had never been comfortable in such extravagant footwear, and the thought of having to navigate a fashion show in them filled me with dread.

As I stepped onto the runway for the training session, the bright lights and bustling atmosphere only added to my anxiety. I tried to mimic Harriet's confident stride, but with each step, I felt the strain on my ankles growing more pronounced.

I cursed myself for agreeing to this charade in the first place. Who was I fooling? I was just a small-town girl thrust into a world of glamor and sophistication, and I was in way over my head.

As I attempted to execute a particularly tricky turn, my ankle twisted beneath me, and I stumbled, barely managing to catch myself before I fell. Pain shot through my leg, and I winced, realizing that I had sprained my ankle in the fall.

“Harriet! What on