A year had passed.And for once… life had been good.Not perfect.Not easy.But good.Sophia had found her rhythm—work, school drop-offs, soccer practices, dinners at home, quiet nights on the patio with Dominic.Normal.The kind of normal she had fought for.That afternoon felt like any other.Sophia picked up the kids from school, laughing at something Hailey said in the backseat while Giovanni and Gianna argued over a toy.She drove off base.And then—The siren.Loud.Sharp.Unmistakable.Sophia froze for half a second.Then her stomach dropped.“Active shooter.”The words came through alerts almost instantly.Her hands tightened on the steering wheel.“Okay… okay…” she whispered, trying to stay calm.The kids didn’t understand.But she did.Too well.PanicSophia pulled over briefly, grabbing her phone.She called Dominic.No answer.Again.Nothing.Her breathing started to pick up.“Come on, Dom… pick up.”She checked the alerts again.Location: near his unit.Her chest tightene
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