RYLEE
The days leading up to the weekend seemed to stretch endlessly, each hour dragging on like a cruel reminder of my unease. Silence from my sister and her baby felt suffocating. I hesitated to reach out, fearing I might be the last person she wanted to hear from. Meanwhile, work problems piled on, overwhelming me to the point that I had to cancel several important meetings.
“Rylee, are you sure you don’t want to take this opportunity?” Emily’s voice pulled me back to reality. Concern was etched across her face. “This is a well-respected company, and we could really benefit from their recommendations. They might interpret your silence as disinterest, and since we’re just getting started, it’s not wise to make such decisions lightly.”
“I get it,” I said, trying to hide the fatigue tha
