Even with her mind still spinning from Ares’s proposal, Winona forced herself to push through and continue with her job application. Life couldn’t stop because of him. She had to stay strong, even while he tried to rattle her resolve.

After her interview, she headed home right away, timing her trip so she could pick up her son after ten o’clock. On the bus ride back, she found herself staring at the three passengers seated across from her: a man, a woman, and a child tucked between ...