Elena woke up to the soft buzz of her alarm at five, as usual. She stretched her arms wide above her head, feeling the lingering sleep loosen from her body, and reached out for her phone lying neatly on her bed. Her fingers brushed the smooth surface, and she tapped the screen to silence the alarm.
As she unlocked it, her eyes immediately caught a message from Mr. Andrei Williams. The words made her heart leap: “You can call. You are free to call.” A gentle smile spread across her face. Her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment, wanting to type a response, wanting to call him immediately—but she didn’t. Not just yet. She wanted to savor this little moment of joy, letting it settle into her chest like the warmth of the morning sun.
Quietly, she slid out of bed and tiptoed toward th
