hop, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coff

ss, Mark, was already waiting for her, arm

his voice sharp as he glanced at the clock on the wall. " Maybe you t

is constant nagging, the threats to reduce her salary, the undermining

to take a portion of your salary. You think I can keep a business running with employees who can't show up

the corners of her memory. Her dad had been a cruel man, his anger spilling over into violence against her mo

often felt empty. In the end, her mother remarried, hoping for steadiness in their lives, but her new husband, Blaire's stepfather, turned

ee shop barely paid the bills, and Mark's unkind attitude only made her days feel unbearable.

busied herself with the espresso machine, the rhythmic sound of coffee being prepared grounding her

e one full of dreams and hope. Now, every day felt like a struggle to survive. But somewhere

barked, shattering her thought

red, she reminded herself that she was still strong, still figh

********†******

pathways. As she stepped outside, the lively city seemed to throb with life around her, but her mind

t came with years of hard work and strategic decisions. He was the family heir, and ofcourse often expected to shoulder the weight of the family

ed forward, struggling to catch her attention. But Blaire, lost in

ng in a nearby shop window. He lost sight as a group of people crowded, when

. He had hoped to see her again and talk to her, to learn more

n't shake the encounter from her mind. Damien Smith, t

xury? The question nagged at her, a persistent r

her mind still on Damien. He seemed different from the men she was used to and there

g the door. The familiar scent of her favourite meal greeted her, but the warm

mforting smile. Her mom was excited she was home,

ed the meal, she a

didn't believe you when you told me about Bob, your stepfather, but I regret it and I'm

ipped as her mother's words hung in the air. She didn't expect such honesty, such vulnerability

h regret. "I should have believed you. I should have been ther

married him, hoping for our lives to be better," she said, her tone s

eve you. At the same time I didn't want to lose him. Marrying him gave us stability, a

onged for felt clouded by the weight of their past. "I wish things were differen

s the table, her hand lingering over Blaire's. "I just w

breakable thing, easily destroyed and hard to rebuild. " You wan

m not the best, but I'm here now. I want to suppor

ut doubt still loomed large. " Well, It's going to take time, Mom. You can't come h

her said, her voice steady. " I promise to work har

y," she finally said, a smile breaking thr

etween them slowly starting to close. Blaire felt the warmth of her mother's