Chapter 144

• ALYONA
• I came home feeling heavy, and I wouldn’t call the day beautiful—no, it definitely wasn’t. I just wished things could be different… but I pushed the thought aside. As I stepped inside, I wanted to talk to Mom, maybe share a few words, but she was already on a video call with Cassie. I could hear their voices before I saw their faces on the screen. “Hi,” I said softly, joining the call.
• Cassie smiled warmly. “How was work today?”