Dahlia felt her heart sink at his words. She knew what Carter was trying to convey kindly. Their time together was up, his job was done, and he was going to leave her and Granshope Parrish behind.
And that only meant one reality for her; She would go back to being manhandled by the paying customers as a hostess for Elliot and the madam.
Tears welled up in Dahlia's eyes and threatened to drip down her flushed cheeks. She swallowed back hard on her emotions, trying to hold herself together. She already knew this day was coming.
Her throat tightened, making it difficult for her to speak. She felt her chest heaving for breath like a boulder was crushing it. Her hands trembled, and her knees felt weak.
Dahlia struggled to keep her composure, but the pain inside her heart was too much to bear. She bit her lip, trying to control the tears that were now streaming down her face. She felt exposed and vulnerable, like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
