Elaris's POV
By the time Mrs. Carter handed me my envelope, the supermarket had already begun settling into its usual Friday evening rhythm.
The last rush of customers had finally disappeared, leaving only the familiar sounds of shopping carts being pushed back into place, registers being counted, and employees chatting while straightening the final shelves.
I accepted the envelope with both hands.
"This should cover everything through today," Mrs. Carter said warmly. "Your wages, plus the unused vacation hours you've accumulated."
I looked down at the envelope before looking back up at her.
"Thank you."
"No." She smiled. "Thank you."
She folded her arms across her chest before continuing.
"When you first walked through those doors almost five months ago, you looked like you were
