The morning began in silence.The café smelled of yeast and warm sugar, the ovens already working before the sun had cleared the rooftops. Bella tied her apron at the waist, her fingers moving with practiced ease. Outside, the streets were still damp with dew, the cobblestones glistening faintly in the first light. Merchants pushed carts into place, their wheels creaking, their voices carrying low in the fog.Inside, Bella set plates, arranged pastries, filled the air with the quiet order of routine. The rhythm had become her lifeline: pour the coffee, slice the bread, offer a smile. The steps kept her mind from spinning too far into the past.Mae shuffled in behind her, yawning, her silver hair escaping its bun. “You’re here before me again,” she muttered, her tone gruff though her eyes softened when they landed on Bella.Bella smiled faintly. “Habit.”Mae snorted. “That’s no habit. That’s a girl running from her dreams.”Bella’s smile faltered, but she ducked her head and returned t
 Last Updated : 2025-09-09
Last Updated : 2025-09-09