He was, in many ways, her anchor, her last tie to the family she’d once dreamed of. One evening, as Marie settled into her well-worn armchair, she felt a calm sense of satisfaction. She opened her book, sinking into its familiar pages, while the setting sun cast a warm glow across the room.
Outside, the birds began their evening chorus, and Marie felt a familiar peace, content in her quiet world. But just as she was about to lose herself in the story, the shrill ring of the phone broke the silence. It was rare for her phone to ring at this hour, especially from an unknown number.