~DANIELLE

My heart was literally drumming in my throat as I stared at the woman. I could feel every part of me shaking as her offer replayed in my head.

I tried to process it. I wanted to weigh the options I had and the consequences of each, but her presence made it hard.

It was like trying to eat while a bone remained stuck in your throat. Nothing went through.

I swallowed hard, hoping to push away the feeling and focus on what was happening, but there was nothing.

Yet, as all of this ...