Chapter 15: Breaking Point.
The day was finally winding down, and the restaurant had gone quiet except for a rowdy group of older men seated at the far corner. Their laughter echoed, loud and grating, as they demanded yet another round of drinks. Cielle stifled a sigh, her feet aching from a long day of standing. She glanced at the clock, counting down the minutes until she could finally leave. Just a little longer, she reminded herself.
Balancing a tray of beers, she walked to their table with the same robotic smile she’d perfected over time. As she set the glasses down, she tried not to notice the way their eyes lingered too long or how their comments, meant to sound like jokes, carried undertones that made her skin crawl. She was just about to turn and leave when it happened.
A hand
