Chapter 4 — Lines in the Sand

Sophie

The rhythmic sound of the waves lapping against the harbor’s edge was a soothing backdrop as Sophie stood outside the weathered doors of the Carter Fish Market. Her breath puffed visibly in the crisp morning air, the chill cutting through her coat despite the weak sunlight filtering through a canvas of pale clouds. She clutched a leather folder against her chest—a shield of sorts—containing the financial records and projections she’d spent the last two nights poring over. Her father’s debts, the dwindling profits, and the rising costs had become a haunting refrain in her mind, playing on loop. She couldn’t shake the memory of Greg’s words from the day before: “This market’s not just business. It’s survival for a lot of folks here.”