Chapter: Shadows and Temptation
The morning sunlight filtered through the wide glass windows of my pie shop, casting warm patterns across the polished counters and wooden tables. The comforting scent of freshly baked pies filled the air, a mixture of spiced apples, rich pecans, and flaky, buttery crusts. It was a refuge, a piece of normalcy that I clung to, even as my memories clawed their way back to the surface.
The shop was quiet today, a few regulars seated at their usual spots, sipping coffee and chatting softly. I busied myself behind the counter, rolling out dough and trying to ignore the knot of unease that had settled in my stomach ever since the memories returned.
The bell above the door chimed, its soft jingle drawing my attention. I glanced up, offering a polite smile that f
