Maria’s fingers trembled slightly as she buttoned up her crisp white blouse, her reflection staring back at her with an expression she barely recognized . Her eyes had a hollowness , a void she had grown accustomed to masking with practicality and humour , these last weeks . But the mask felt fragile today , as if it might shatter with the slightest provocation .
She was just slipping on her blazer when her phone buzzed on the old and worn-out dresser . Glancing at the screen , she saw "JERK" name flash up , accompanied by a brief message : “Car is waiting.” The words were simple , to the point , yet they held an undercurrent of command that made her grind her molars in frustration .
With a tight , controlled motion , she shoved the phone into her bag , zipping it shut with more force th
