Emma's Point of View
Walking into the office building that morning felt like stepping onto the stage of a play where I was the unwitting female lead character. Heads turned as I passed, whispers floated around me, and eyes darted away when I tried to meet their gazes. Something was definitely up. I wasn’t sure what, but the energy was unmistakable.
“Good morning, Marian,” I said with forced cheerfulness as I approached the receptionist’s desk. Marian, usually quick with a smile and a friendly comment, froze as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn’t. Her wide eyes scanned me up and down like I had sprouted another head overnight.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone staring?” I asked, glancing nervously over my shoulder. The lobby buzzed with low murmurs, and I could feel the
