The bell above the door chimed—a cheerful, silver sound that grated against Sunny's frayed nerves.
She smoothed her apron, forcing a mask of professional poise over the exhaustion etched into her face.
After the chaos of the past week, returning to Bloom and Grow felt like stepping into an alternate reality where the only problems were wilting petals and mismatched ribbons.
Olivia had been a ghost lately. She only showed up when Sofia was hospitalized, a silent, looming presence that vanished as quickly as she appeared.
Now, the shop felt hollow without the usual hum of their shared routine.
The door swung open again, framing a handsome man in a tailored coat.
Sunny straightened her posture.
"Good morning," she greeted, her voice practiced and light.
"Welcome to Bloom and Grow. How can I be of assistance today?"
The man looked around the fragrant aisles, looking uncharacteristically lost.
"I'm here for my wife. The problem is... I have no idea what she likes."
Sunny tilted her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
"How long have you been married?"
"Ten years. Today is actually our anniversary."
Sunny's smile faltered, replaced by a look of mock disappointment.
"You've lived with her for a decade and you still don't know her favorite flower?"
The man winced. "There's no need to judge me," he replied, though his tone was playful.
"I'm not judging you, Leo," Sunny chuckled, moving toward the vibrant display by the window.
"I'm just surprised." She let her fingers dance across the blossoms, her eyes distant.
"I've had the chance to meet your wife, and lucky for you, I remember her essence."
She paused before a cluster of white blooms.
"She has this soft elegance when she walks in. A gentle aura that makes you feel safe, even in a storm. And her scent... it's sweet, but refined."
Leo watched her, mesmerized. "You noticed all that just from a few meetings?"
"I'm a woman," Sunny said, her smile turning knowing.
"We notice the things men miss. For her, it has to be Jasmine. It's delicate, fragrant, and resilient. Just like her."
"Wrap it up," Leo said, convinced.
"Would you like a card?"
Leo looked confused. "A card?"
"A romantic letter," Sunny prompted. "Tell her what you just told me."
Leo sighed, leaning against the counter.
"At this point... do what you feel is right. I trust you."
Sunny took a seat at the small writing desk. As her pen moved across the paper, she felt a strange ache in her chest.
She poured a lifetime of unspoken longing and heartache into the ink, crafting a love letter for a man to give to a woman she barely knew.
When she finished, she felt hollowed out.
Leo left with the bouquet, leaving Sunny alone with her thoughts until the bell chimed again.
Olivia walked in, accompanied by a sharp-featured woman.
"Welcome, Boss," Sunny said, her gaze fixed firmly on the counter, avoiding Olivia's eyes.
Olivia merely hummed—a cold, vibrating sound—and disappeared into the back office with her guest.
Sunny collapsed into her chair, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Before she could spiral, her phone vibrated.
"What's up, Ariana?" Sunny asked, her voice trembling.
"Are you alright? You sound weird," Ariana's voice crackled through the line.
"I'm fine. Just... a long day. How is she?"
"Sofia is being discharged today," Ariana said, a note of hesitation in her voice.
"I was wondering if you'd accompany me."
Sunny gripped the phone. "Did you tell Melissa?"
Silence stretched over the line.
"I can't talk to her right now," Ariana finally sighed, the exhaustion evident.
"But Sofia is asking for her."
"You can't keep her away from Baby Bear, Ariana," Sunny snapped, her frustration boiling over.
"She has the right to be there."
"I know... I was thinking of taking the little one over tonight. Will you join me?"
"Sure," Sunny whispered. "I'll see you at six."
Inside the sprawling silence of Antonio's mansion, time had stopped.
Abuela sat by the bed, watching Melissa.
She was a ghost of herself, staring into the distance while plates of untouched food grew cold on the nightstand.
"Melissa, you need to eat," Abuela pleaded, holding a spoonful of soup to Melissa's lips.
"It's been four days. You'll wither away."
Melissa didn't even blink. She simply turned her head, a slow, mechanical movement of rejection.
Antonio stepped into the room, loosening his tie. His face was a mask of weary concern.
"How is she?"
"She won't look at it," Abuela said, her voice breaking. "It's disturbing, Antonio."
"Then don't force her," Antonio said sharply.
"She'll get sick," Quin argued from the doorway.
Antonio ignored them. He sat on the edge of the bed and reached out, his large hand trembling slightly as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind Melissa's ear.
He caressed her cheek, his thumb tracing the hollow of her cheekbone.
"Melissa," he whispered, his voice a command wrapped in velvet.
"Look at me."
Slowly, her eyes drifted to his.
"Good girl," he murmured.
"We need to go downstairs. There are people here to see you."
He took her hand, pulling her gently to her feet. She followed him like a sleepwalker, her feet heavy on the grand staircase.
But the moment they reached the foyer, the spell broke.
Standing there were Sunny, Ariana, and—in the center—Sofia.
Melissa recoiled as if struck.
She stepped back in terror, her mind flashing to the horrific image of Sofia's blue, lifeless body in the freezer.
"Papa Bear?" Sofia's voice was small, a fragile question.
"No," Melissa gasped, shaking her head.
"I don't want to hurt you anymore. I can't... I can't endanger you again."
Sofia took a step forward, her eyes welling with tears.
Melissa retreated further, her back hitting the cold marble wall.
"Papa? Are you mad at me because of what I said before the trip? I didn't mean it! I don't hate you! I could never hate you... so please, don't hate me!" Sofia sobbed, the sound echoing through the hall.
"Mel," Ariana tried to intervene, stepping closer.
"Don't come near me!" Melissa cried out, her voice raw.
"You were right. I'm selfish. I've hurt more lives than I can count. When I saw her in there... I couldn't breathe. You're all better off without me. I've... I've already documented the easiest way to end it. I've spent every minute wondering how to atone."
"Don't shut us out," Sunny pleaded, her own tears falling. "You're not alone."
Melissa collapsed to her knees, clutching her chest as if trying to hold her soul inside her body.
She sobbed hysterically, a sound of pure, unadulterated grief.
Sofia didn't wait for permission. She threw herself forward, wrapping her small arms around Melissa's neck.
"I love you, Papa! Don't say those things! You're my family. I know you'll save me. I know you'll protect me!"
The dam broke. Melissa pulled the child into her lap, weeping into her hair.
Ariana and Sunny knelt beside them, forming a protective circle of salt and sorrow.
"I'm sorry," Ariana whispered, joining the embrace.
"I shouldn't have said those things. You aren't hurting us, Melissa. You never did."
Melissa struggled to find air between her sobs. "I'm... I'm so sorry."
"Let's go home," Sunny said softly, trying to help Melissa up.
But as Melissa tried to stand, the world tilted on its axis.
Her knees gave out, her eyes rolling back.
Antonio caught her before she hit the floor, his arms locking around her fragile frame.
"Papa Bear!" Sofia screamed.
"She's too weak," Abuela said, rushing over.
"She needs rest," Antonio growled, his voice thick with protective fury as he lifted her into his arms.
"I'll bring her home tomorrow. But first, she stays with me. She's going to eat, and she's going to sleep."
He carried her back up the stairs, the scent of roses from Sunny's shop lingering in the air like a promise of survival.