Lucy stayed in her room longer than usual.
She had changed out of her work clothes, but she hadn't moved much since.
Her bag still lay where she dropped it.
Her phone sat beside her, untouched.
Three days.
No work.
No pay.
She exhaled slowly and rubbed her forehead.
"…I'll figure it out," she whispered.
But even to her, it didn't sound convincing.
"Lucy!" her mother called from the living room.
Lucy sat up quickly. "Yes, Mama!"
"Come and help me for a minute."
"I'm coming."
Lucy stood, straightened her shirt, and stepped out like nothing was wrong.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Annabella handed her a bowl.
"Help me cut these," she said.
Lucy nodded. "Okay."
They worked in silence for a moment.
Just the sound of the knife hitting the board.
Then—
"You're home early these days," her mother said casually.
Lucy's hand paused for a second.
Then continued.
"Work is… not too busy," she replied.
Her mother didn't look up. "Hmm."
Another pause.
"You didn't go today?" she asked.
Lucy forced a small laugh. "I did."
Mrs. Annabella glanced at her briefly.
Then back at what she was doing.
"You came back early," she said.
Lucy nodded. "Yes. They let us close early."
"All of you?" her mother asked.
Lucy hesitated.
"…Yes."
The lie sat between them.
From the doorway, Ruben leaned against the wall.
"Lucy."
She looked up. "What?"
He folded his arms. "Can I talk to you?"
Lucy frowned slightly. "Now?"
"Yeah."
She glanced at her mother.
"I'll be back," she said.
Mrs. Annabella didn't stop her. "Go."
Outside, near the small front space, Ruben turned to her.
"What's going on?" he asked directly.
Lucy blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Don't do that," he said. "You've been off since yesterday."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not," he replied. "And don't say it again."
Lucy sighed. "Ruben…"
"You're home early," he continued. "You're quiet. You're distracted. That's not normal."
Lucy looked away.
"It's just work," she said.
"What about work?" he pressed.
Lucy shook her head. "Nothing serious."
Ruben studied her face.
"…Are you in trouble?" he asked.
Lucy looked at him quickly. "No."
Too fast.
Ruben caught it.
"Lucy."
"I said no."
"Then look at me and say it properly," he insisted.
Lucy met his eyes.
"I'm not in trouble," she said again.
This time slower.
More controlled.
Ruben didn't look convinced.
But he didn't push further.
"…Alright," he said quietly. "But if something is wrong, you tell me."
Lucy nodded. "I will."
Another lie.
That evening, Mr. Joe returned from outside.
He looked more tired than usual.
Lucy noticed immediately.
"Papa," she said softly. "You went out?"
He nodded. "Just checking something."
"Any luck?" Ruben asked.
Mr. Joe gave a small smile. "Not yet."
Mrs. Annabella placed food on the table. "Sit. Eat first."
They all gathered.
Like always.
But it didn't feel the same.
Halfway through the meal, Mr. Joe looked at Lucy.
"How is work?" he asked.
Lucy's hand tightened slightly around her spoon.
"It's fine," she said.
He nodded slowly. "Everything okay there?"
"Yes."
He watched her for a second longer than usual.
Then nodded again. "Good."
Ruben spoke up, trying to lighten the mood. "Lucy almost fought someone the other day."
Lucy looked at him sharply. "Ruben—"
"What?" he said. "It's true."
Mr. Joe frowned slightly. "Fought who?"
"It wasn't like that," Lucy said quickly.
Ruben shrugged. "Some men at the park."
Mrs. Annabella looked at her. "Again?"
"I didn't fight anyone," Lucy said, a bit defensive now. "I just spoke."
Mr. Joe's expression hardened slightly. "Spoke to who?"
Lucy hesitated.
"…Just someone," she said.
"That's exactly what I warned you about," her mother said quietly.
Lucy exhaled. "It's over now."
Mr. Joe leaned back slightly. "Lucy… this is not the time for unnecessary trouble."
"I know," she said.
"Do you?" he asked.
Lucy didn't respond.
Silence settled on the table.
Not loud.
But heavy.
Later that night, Lucy sat alone again.
Her thoughts louder than ever.
Her father out of work.
Money getting tight.
And her own situation—
Getting worse.
She looked at her phone.
Then away.
"…I can't tell them," she whispered.
Not now.
Not like this.
But the truth was—
She was running out of time.