My stomach drops. "That''s impossible." I know I have the honey in my ount. My stipend went through yesterday; I checked myself to make sure it was all there. "Can you try again?"


    The cashier runs my card again, only to achieve the same result as before. Heat creeps up my neck as the line behind me grows longer, and the woman waiting directly behind me scoffs impatiently, I dig through my purse for another card, but I know it''s futile-my residency stipend is my only real ie right now.


    "One moment," I mumble, stepping aside to check my banking app. The bnce shows that my stipend went through, but then shows a negative transaction from this morning that removed the entire amount.


    That can''t be right.


    I quickly dial the payment office at the gallery. After a few rings, a woman


    answers, I exin the situation to her, and she hesitates. F?an hear her keyboard clicking in the background as she searches up my ount.


    "Ah, I see the issue," she says in a way more cheery voice than she should. "It looks like your bank mistakenly gged the transaction and returned it. We''ll have to sort this out with your bank and resend the money."


    "When can I see the funds in my ount?" I ask.


    "Three to five business days."


    I resist the urge to curse out loud in public. Three to five days? But the party is tonight! I can''t show up empty-handed, can''t serve Arthur''s parents takeout food again, and most certainly can''t make another bad impression when I''m already on such shaky ground with them.


    There''s only one option, and I hate that I have no choice but to do this.


    With shaking fingers, I dial Caleb''s number.


    "Iris?" He answers on the second ring. "Is everything alright?"


    "I need help," I admit, hating every second of this. "My stipend was dyed, and


    I''m at the grocery store trying to buy everything for tonight''s party, but my card was declined and-"


    "How much do you need?" he interrupts without preamble.


    I swallow. "It''s a lot... About five hundred dors. I''ll pay you back as soon as my stipendes through, I promise."


    "Don''t worry about it. I''m transferring it now."


    True to his word, my phone buzzes with a notification secondster. The money is already in my ount..


    "Caleb, I-"


    "It''s what family does," he says simply. "And don''t you dare try to pay me back. Now go finish your shopping. I''ll see you tonight.''


    The guilt sits heavy in my stomach as I return to the register, but the relief of being able to pay overwhelms it. I thank the cashier profusely and hurry out with my groceries, eager to get home and start preparing.


    When I reach my apartment building, I''m surprised to see Arthur''s car parked outside. He''s back a little early from his diplomatic trip. My heart lifts at the thought of seeing him, of finally having the chance to tell him everything before the party. I''m nervous, but I know he''ll understand.


    But as soon as I step inside, I know something is wrong.


    Arthur is standing in my living room, still in his travel clothe clenched.


    "Arthur?" I set down the grocery bags. "You''re back early.


    "Why are you taking so much money from Caleb?" he asks tabloid article with a picture of me in the grocery store.


    And the caption underneath reads: "Is it true? Mate of Alph money for groceries?"


    50


    Arthur is standing in my living room, still in his travel clothes, holding his phone. His face is grim, his jaw clenched.


    "Arthur?" I set down the grocery bags. “You''re back early. thought your flight wasn''t until-


    "Why are you taking so much money from Caleb?" he asks, cutting me off. He holds out his phone to reveal a tabloid article with a picture of me in the grocery store.


    And the caption underneath reads: "Is it true? Mate of Alpha President calls Caleb Willford, of all people, to wire money for groceries?"