After finishing the meal, Alessia leaned back in her chair with a slow exhale, the kind that came from genuine satisfaction rather than relief. The rice bowl was gone, the last of the teriyaki sauce wiped clean, and the Coke bottle sat empty beside it. For the first time all day, her body felt like it had finally caught up with her mind. The sharp edges of hunger, stress, and back-to-back decisions had dulled into something softer. She would never admit it aloud, but the food had done more for her mood than any strategic pause or deep breath could have.
She had just pushed the empty container aside when her phone rang.
This time, she didn't move immediately. Her eyes dropped to the screen, but she didn't check the caller ID. She simply watched it ring. Once. Twice. The sound filled the q
