Cindy and Elder Colley

★★★★

Cindy entered her grandfather’s study with a sense of foreboding. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows that danced across the walls as she approached Elder Colley. He sat behind his mahogany desk, his usually impeccable demeanor marred by a look of deep disquiet.

“Cindy, come closer, my dear,” Elder Colley said, his voice heavy with a blend of sorrow and regret. His eyes, usually sharp and commanding, now held a softness tinged with guilt.

Cindy stepped forward, her concern evident in the gentle crease of her brow. “Grandfather, what’s wrong? You look troubled.”

Elder Colley sighed, leaning back in his chair as he ran a weary hand through his silver hair. “I am troubled, indeed. It is not just sadness but a profound disappointment in myself. You see, I’ve made a grievous error—a miscalculation in a matter of great import. The consequences of this mistake are not confined to me alone; I fear they will touch you as well.”

Cindy’s heart skipped a beat, her gaze fixed on her