At the café, Mrs. Margaret showed her a tablet displaying a blurry photo of Emily and Michael laughing over blueprints.
The headline on a gossip forum read:
“CEO Michael Parker risks library project safety for late-night romance with unqualified baker.”
“The building owner called,” Mrs. Margaret said nervously. “He’s one of Michael’s investors. He threatened our lease if you keep working here.”
Emily felt the ground vanish beneath her feet.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I won’t let your business suffer because of me.”
An hour later Michael arrived at the café.
Emily was gone.
Mrs. Margaret handed him the tablet and a box of heart-shaped cookies.
“Someone tried to ruin her,” she said angrily.
Michael read the article and immediately recognized the tone.
Victoria.
Anger burned through him—but beneath it was fear. Fear of losing the one bright light that had entered his life in two years.
Five days later Emily received an envelope.
Inside was an invitation:
Grand Opening – Riverside Library
And a handwritten note.
Some foundations need time to settle. Others only need faith. Please come. —M.P.
She almost threw it away.
But then she looked at the tattoo on her wrist: broken chains.