BEYOND THE CONTRACT
The noise of the city returned—honking cars, chatter, the rush of footsteps—but Sophia felt detached from it all.
She reached her car, sat in the driver’s seat, and just stared at the steering wheel.
Mrs. Hale’s words echoed in her mind:
Sometimes, searching for answers leads to doors that shouldn’t be opened.
Her hands trembled as she started the engine.
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The drive home blurred by in silence. When she finally arrived, the house was calm—the twins asleep, the faint sound of the TV coming from the living room. Emma greeted her quietly, asking if she’d eaten. Sophia just nodded absently and climbed the stairs.