The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Isabelle stepped into Maple & Bean, the cozy cafe just a few blocks from her office. The place had quickly become her sanctuary”somewhere she could gather her thoughts, take a breath, and for a few precious minutes, forget about the chaos unfolding in her life.
She needed that now more than ever.
The morning had been a blur of emails, meetings, and back-to-back calls with Emma, discussing strategies for the custody battle. Each conversation made the situation feel heavier, the looming court battle more real.
Isabelle exhaled as she joined the line, rolling her tense shoulders. She just needed a coffee. A moment to breathe.
But then she heard it.
A voice that sent a chill down her spine.
|"ll have a black coffee. No sugar."
Sebasti
