Caroline's heels clicked against the polished marble of her boutique as she slipped inside, her energy unusually subdued. Normally, mornings here were her escape—a place where racks of silken dresses and the faint perfume of fabric softener mixed with her own designer candles gave her a sense of control, a sanctuary. Today, however, the quiet felt oppressive.
She tossed her handbag on the counter, her gaze sliding to the mannequin by the window draped in one of her newest designs—an emerald green cocktail dress that shimmered under the slant of early sunlight. On any other day, she would've admired it with pride, posted a photo on her social media, maybe added a sassy caption. But this morning, her chest felt heavy.
