Lucy's erratic behavior had become the elephant in the room at the bakery. Her sudden mood swings, snapping from cold detachment to intense hostility, left everyone walking on eggshells. The staff noticed but chose to remain silent, fearful of adding more stress to Lucy's already precarious state.
Layla, one of the more empathetic workers, felt the tension but understood the collective reluctance. Lucy was struggling, that much was clear, and confronting her could push her further into distress. Layla decided to shoulder Lucy's outbursts, believing that showing patience might offer some relief to her troubled colleague.
Lucy herself seemed caught in a tumultuous storm of emotions. One moment, she would appear contrite and distant, and the next, her anger would flare, leaving her co-workers bewildered and uneasy. Layla sensed that Lucy was grappling with inner demons, perhaps a mix of guilt, confusion, and fear. Yet, despite Layla's understanding, there was no resolution in sight.
