*Shelby*

The sun shone brightly on the shore with a warmth that I didn't feel anywhere other than the Maldives, and I couldn't help but smile as I stepped onto the soft, white sands of the beach. My sandals left fleeting impressions behind me, soon to be erased by the gentle lapping of waves. I spotted Lin and Aubrey at a rustic wooden table set under a bright blue umbrella, their laughter carrying over the sound of the sea.

"Shelby!" Aubrey called out, waving a hand ...