The morning after her return from Venice, Lena stood in her studio, sunlight spilling through the tall windows and warming the familiar space. The walls were alive with sketches and ideas, a tangible representation of her restless creativity. Yet today, the studio felt like the edge of something even larger—a gateway to a new chapter.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away from the canvas she’d been staring at. It was a video call from Mara.
“Lena!” Mara’s voice rang out, filled with her signature energy. “Are you back to reality yet, or is your head still floating over the Grand Canal?”
Lena laughed. “Barely grounded. Venice was... transformative. I still can’t believe I was part of it.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you’re back because I have news,” Mara said, her tone shifting to s
