Sara Ikari Rodriguez
I woke up feeling like I’d been drained of every last bit of strength. The events of last night replayed in my mind, the cruel sounds, the bitter realization. My chest felt tight, but I forced myself out of bed.
Staying here, moping around, wasn’t going to help. I needed to clear my head. So, I decided to put all the haunting memories aside and go to work. I had taken enough time off, and drowning in misery wasn’t helping.
I dressed simply—a beige blouse and black trousers—and tied my hair back. As I stepped out, Maria offered me a sympathetic smile, but I couldn’t meet her eyes. I just wasn’t ready to talk.
At the office, people greeted me with smiles and warm welcomes. It felt strange, like I didn’t belong here after what I’d been through. As I made my way to my
