Chapter 31

** Fractures Beneath the Surface**

The shop’s closure stretched from days into weeks, and the once-bustling space that had been the heart of Claire and Ethan’s life now stood silent and dark. The constant presence of construction crews, dust, and the unsettling creaks of structural repairs echoed in the empty storefront, a daily reminder of the uncertainty that loomed over them. The repairs were slow and fraught with complications, each new issue extending the timeline and draining their resources.

Claire tried to keep her spirits up, throwing herself into managing their online store and connecting with customers through social media. But despite her best efforts, the sales were a fraction of what the shop normally brought in, and the financial strain began to weigh heavily on her and Ethan.

One afternoon, Claire sat at the kitchen table with a stack of bills, each one more daunting than the last. The repairs were already costing more than they had anticipated, and the insurance compa