Chapter 136: A Heartless Slap

Thirty thousand dollars was nothing to Arthur Sandlin. To me, it might as well have been a mountain I couldn't climb. I stared at the check in his hand, my heart trembling. It would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted. I desperately needed this money. But my pride screamed louder than my desperation. I couldn't accept another dime from Arthur. Not now. Not ever. "I won't take your money. I'll figure this out on my own. You don't need to worry about me, Mr. Sandlin." I kept my voice cold, clipped, leaving no room for argument. Before he could respond, I turned and walked out of his office as fast as I could without running. I didn't understand why he still offered to help me. Was it guilt? A leftover sense of responsibility because of our past? Or something else I couldn't even begin to guess? Back at my desk, my mind was a tangled mess. I shook my head, trying to chase away the echo of his voice, the look in his eyes. The entire day crawled by. I couldn't raise the money. I didn't even k