Emma’s Point of View
The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as I stepped into the café, the morning rush a blur around me. The cashier handed me my order with a bright smile, and I forced myself to return the gesture, though my mind was elsewhere. As I took my coffee and ready-to-go bread rolls, I tipped her absentmindedly before heading out the door. The crisp morning air hit my face, but it did little to shake off the gnawing unease that had been my companion for years.
Sliding into my car, I placed the coffee carefully in the holder and tossed the bread roll onto the passenger seat. Just as I was about to pull onto the road, my phone buzzed. Without thinking, I tapped the dashboard screen to answer.
“Hello, Edith?” I said, my voice calm despite the sudden nerves creeping i
