The sweet lure of money

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'The water, it's far too calm,' Ari looked at the silent waves of the ocean that crashed gently against the shore of the beach where she was sitting. Every once in a while, the waves would crash against her feet, causing grains of soil to get stuck on her feet.

Ari raised the can of beer in her hand and took a swig from it. The bittersweet liquid trickled down her throat, and Ari choked on it before coughing and sputtering.

"Damn even this is trying to hurt me," she cursed with flushed cheeks and dazed eyes that were looking at the calm water of the ocean. After finding out that she was in another debt, one that she might not be able to pay back ever, Ari felt like her life was spiralling out of control.

For years, she pretended to be fine. Even when she was unloved and not wanted. Even when she was called a murderer, Ari remained steadfast in her decisions. She believed that one day everything would be fine but ——