(Lydia)The bell above the door jingled as I pushed into the coffee shop, the warmth of the café rushing to greet me. It had been a long, chilly morning, and I needed a moment of peace with just me, a steaming latte, and a quiet corner to sort through my thoughts. The kids were at preschool, Thomas was buried in work, and for once, I had time to myself.The shop was pleasantly busy, filled with the hum of conversation and the hiss of the espresso machine. I ordered my usual and scanned the tables, hoping for a quiet spot. That’s when I saw her.Clara.She was sitting by the window, her hands curled around a cup of coffee, staring out at the street. My breath caught, and I instinctively took a step back, the air seeming to thicken around me. What was she doing here? Of all places, why this café?Her gaze flicked toward the door, and our eyes met. For a moment, neither of us moved. Then she stood, smoothing down the front of her coat, her expression carefully neutral as she made her way
Last Updated : 2024-12-07 Read more