The journey back to Northbrook was filled with deep silence, the unease from the meeting at Dr. Marcus's office hanging over them like a looming thunderstorm. Cecilia occupied the passenger seat, her fingers clutching her phone firmly as Annie shifted restlessly in the backseat. Ethan, always calm and steady, kept his eyes on the road ahead. Even though his jaw was tight, it hinted at the frustration he felt inside.
When they arrived at Annie's apartment complex, the night had turned chilly. The three exited, the cold air biting their skin as they rushed indoors. Ethan moved behind the two women into the homely, inviting space of the living room, where the weight of their unfinished task pressed heavily on them all.
Cecilia was unable to remain seated. She walked back and forth across the room, her steps softened by the light carpet. Her mind reeled with memories of the turmoil at Dr. Marcus's office, the intense argument looping in her head repeatedly. Every step she made appeared to
