Elena sat quietly on her bed, her mind restless as fragments of that night replayed over again. The tone of Miss Anne’s voice during their last conversation echoed sharply in her head — too eager, too desperate, almost as if the success of the plan had meant everything to her. It wasn’t just about helping Elena or saving the bakery; there had been something hidden beneath that honeyed concern.

Miss Anne sounded like the plan was a jackpot for her, Elena thought. And when I couldn’t ...