Chapter 4 — Emma’s Questions

Lily

The familiar scent of lavender and vanilla wafted through Lily’s kitchen as she poured steaming tea into two mismatched mugs. The chipped edges of one mug caught the light from the window, casting a faint shimmer on the countertop. She clutched her own mug tightly, letting the warmth seep into her fingers, a small comfort for her nerves. Outside, birds chirped faintly, their melody blending with the subtle rhythm of the clock ticking on the wall. The cozy living room was bathed in soft afternoon sunlight, dancing off the spines of books on the overcrowded shelves.