Serena’s POV

The elevator climbed the tall tower of Hawthorne Enterprises, each floor dinging like a countdown to my freedom.

My reflection in the mirrored walls mocked me. My hair was twisted into a hasty knot, my eyes still puffy from last night’s tears, the black folder clutched against my chest like my life depended on it. And it actually does.

Lila’s words echoed in my head: “You have no choice.” But every fiber of me screamed that this was wrong. Signing away my freedom for ...