Chapter 7. Unwelcoming Town

BELLE

“I’m a really fast learner, and I never get sick,” I told the woman behind the front counter of the cute little boutique. “And I could start as soon as possible, even right now, if you wanted.”

The nice-looking shopkeeper—Loretta, her name tag said—was studying me with a sympathetic gaze.

I could feel her eyes sweep over my dirty clothes and unkempt hair before finally settling on the bruise spanning the left side of my face.

I knew I must have looked extremely out of place in the pristine boutique. Loretta was dressed head to toe in name brands, with red, manicured nails.

There wasn’t a single piece of hair out of place on her blonde head, which framed her heart-shaped face perfectly. She looked expensive. Mature. Beautiful. She looked like she actually belonged in this town.

I was nervous when I first entered the shop. I wasn’t expecting to get a job. I’m sure all of Loretta’s employees were just like her—well dressed, with their lives tog