Chapter 202

• The morning began softly. I arrived at the boutique earlier than usual, wanting a little time to myself before the day unfolded. The air outside was crisp, and the windows of the boutique fogged lightly as I unlocked the door.
• Inside, the silence greeted me. I walked between the racks, touching each fabric as though I was saying good morning. The dresses felt cool under my fingertips, their presence grounding me in ways that words rarely could.
• Claudia arrived a little later. She moved more quickly than usual, her steps carrying a kind of nervous energy. She set her bag down behind the counter and looked at me with a seriousness that told me something was on her mind.