The evening air was heavy with tension as Jessica sat on the edge of her bed, cradling a now-sleeping Alvaro. She had spent the better part of the day pacing, her mind racing with anxiety and frustration. The quiet was unbearable, amplifying her sense of isolation. She missed her freedom, her sanity, and, most of all, the faint semblance of control she once had over her life.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door, followed by the creak of hinges. Jessica’s heart leapt into her throat, her immediate instinct to brace herself for Armando—or worse, someone else with more bad news. But instead, familiar voices reached her ears, and she exhaled a shaky breath.
“Jess?” Natasha’s voice was tentative but warm, her head peeking through the doorway.
Behind her, Sierra stepped in with Da
