The night had grown deeper, the air quiet and still like the world was holding its breath. Elena and her mother sat together in the sitting room, the soft glow of the lamp warming the space around them. They had been talking for a long time—about life, about the bakery, about the unexpected customers who had shown interest earlier. It comforted Elena deeply to sit beside her mother like this after the chaos and emotional storms she had faced.

Her mother sat with her wrapper tied firmly ...