Chapter Sixty Three: A Step Forward

"Okay." Victor opened the door and walked out of the sitting room. Layla picked up the new phone after Victor left. It was just as Canaan had spoken; she shouldn't attach any other meaning to his gesture. He was going to such great lengths to care for her, yet he claimed he was doing all he did for Derek's sake. Layla hunched her shoulders. "If he says it's for Derek's sake, then it is." She unlocked the phone and scrolled through its screen. The phone felt foreign on her palm. It was smooth and cold. It was luxury. Her old phone was small, controlled with buttons, but this new one was all screen. Layla was fascinated by it. Akila had offered to buy her one at a time, but she had refused. She couldn't feel more indebted to her. Layla planned on saving up from her job to buy herself the things she needed. And to take care of Derek's expenses too. She knew Akila would never allow her to bear the burden alone, but she wanted to make some contributions too. She checked her con