The soft hum of the sewing machine was the only sound filling the quiet boutique as Isla Monroe guided a delicate silk fabric beneath the needle. Her fingers worked with precision, stitching the final touches on an evening gown that shimmered under the golden glow of the overhead lights. This dress was supposed to be the beginning of something great.

She leaned back, admiring her work. The gown was breathtaking, a custom design for a high-profile client. If all went well, this dress would be her stepping stone to the elite fashion world. It was the first major order since she had taken over Monroe Designs, the small boutique her mother had built from scratch.

Her mother's dream. Now hers.

As a young girl, she had spent most of her time watching her mother make magic in this very boutique. Watched her mum, turn varous fabrics into beautiful and unique dresses which Isla had imagined herself wear.

Now it was her sitting behind the machine, and life couldn't have felt any better.

A small, tired smile played on her lips as she stretched her sore muscles. The last few months had been grueling. From late nights, endless sketches, and the constant pressure of making ends meet. But she had done it. She had kept the business afloat despite the odds stacked against her.

Tailoring, or fashion designing may have been her passion, but it was not an easy job. And the sore muscles and back pains were a constant reminder.

Just as she was about to pack up for the night, the boutique door swung open, the bell above it chiming. Isla frowned. It was late. Who—

She didn't get to finish her train of thought, before the intruder made herself known.

Her best friend, Sophie Caldwell, stormed inside, heels clicking against the marble floor. Her blonde hair was piled in a messy bun, and her hazel eyes were filled with urgency.

Sophie had always been the beautiful of the two of them, and even if this was really late in the night, that didn;t change. She was glowing.

But then again, as she advanced towards her, Isla couldn't help but feel something was off.

"Tell me you've checked your emails," Sophie said, breathless.

Email? What email? And why was she breathless like she had been running in those heels?

Isla blinked. "I was working. What's wrong?" Which was true because she had been so invested in creating her perfect peice, thta even a damn phonecall wouldn't have been enough to draw her attantion from her work.

Speaking of phone calls, she hadn't heard any kind of notification form the device all day.

Sophie pulled out her phone, tapping frantically. "You need to sit down for this."

A sharp wave of anxiety curled in Isla's stomach. She didn't like those words.

Her eyes narrowed at her friend who continued to search the device, eyes bright as hell.

"I don't need to sit," Isla said, grabbing her own phone from the counter. "Just tell me."

Whatever it was, she hoped that it wasn't all that serious because for some reason, she was beginning to feel afraid.

Sophie hesitated before handing over her phone, a single email open on the screen. Isla's heart pounded as she read the subject line.

FINAL NOTICE – Immediate Payment Required

Her breath hitched. No.

It...it couldn't be.

But she couldn't stop herself as she continued to scroll to he actual message. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through the message.

Ms. Monroe,

Due to outstanding debts and missed payments, Monroe Designs is now subject to legal action. If the full amount of $350,000 is not paid within seven days, your business and personal assets will be seized.

This is the final warning.

Regards,

Harrison & Co. Legal Services

The phone nearly slipped from her hands. Her throat closed.

Her hands shook, her vision blurred as the words repeated and imprinted themselves in her mind.

What the hell was this? It had to be a joke right? She couldn't possibly be in debt. Most especially a debt as big as the one she was looking at.

$350,000?

There had to be a mistake. She had been making payments. She had been careful. She had...hadn't she?

"This can't be right," Isla whispered, her chest tightening. HHer fingers wrapped around the phone tightly as she continued to stare at the device, not really seeing anything as her mind raced, trying to seek answers. "There has to be a mistake somewhere, Sophie. I can't be in a debt Sophie!"

Sophie grabbed her shoulders. "I double-checked. It's real, Isla. The bank sent a full report. Your mother—" Sophie hesitated. "She took out a massive loan against the boutique before she got sick. She must have been trying to save the business, but then with her medical bills…"

Isla's pulse roared in her ears as she tried to digest this newest bit of information.

"But she hadn't mentioned any loan. This is all a mistake! I checked the documents Sophie..." I was a whiper, but as the words left her lips, she knew she was just being in denial.

The proof was staring back at her. She was finished.

Her mother had kept this from her.

But why?

What was she ven going to do? She hadn't even gotten the chance to stand, befpre the ground was pulled from under her feet!

Everything, every ounce of sacrifice, every sleepless night, every deal she had taken to keep the boutique afloat...everything she had done, had not been enough.

Sophie's voice was distant. "Isla… what are you going to do?"

She didn't know.

Isla closed her eyes, bringing her hand to her beating heart as her eyelids burned. Tears threatened to fall, but she squeexed her eyes tight, hoping it didnt fall. At least not now. Not now when the only little time she had, was not even enough to come up with a solution.

Sophie's question echoed in her mind.... What really was she going to do?

For the first time in her life, Isla Monroe was completely, utterly trapped.

And she had seven days before her world crumbled.