On Christmas Eve, the streets were strung with decorations. Streetlights glinted off wet pavement, storefronts blazed with festive lights, and crowds hurried along the sidewalks with wrapped gifts clutched in their hands. Car horns hummed softly, and holiday music spilled from shop windows.
Claire pulled her coat tighter around herself, walking along the streets of the financial district.
Turning a corner, a person burst hurriedly out of the office building ahead. Clutching a thick stack of folders, she stumbled, her head bowed as if wiping away tears. She never looked where she was going and barreled straight into Claire.
"Ah!" The two collided, and papers scattered all over the ground.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
The person apologized repeatedly, voice thick with sobs, as she squatt
