Love Ablaze

the harsh reality that her daughter was really gone. She spent her days in a state of grief, barely eating, barely sleeping, with tears constantly crying her eyes. Eve

e was now cold and silent, the absence

and friends gathered around her, offering their condolences, but their words felt empty. "Accept my condolences," they said, but Joana

hy did you have to leave me so soon?" she whispered, her voice trembling. She reache

ina had always been the strong one, the one who knew what to say, but even she was struggling to find the right words. "I'm sure Pai

asked, her voice barely higher than a whisper. Despite everything, she had hoped h

The finality of it all hit her like a wave, and the tears she thought she run out of came rushing back. She couldn't stop them, couldn't

ing. Joana, however, returned to a house that now felt like a prison of memories. Every room echoed with the absence of her daugh

ad not returned home since that terrible day, and Joana's parents informed her tha

side her at the thought of seeing James and Martha again was like a storm she wasn't ready to face.

o now?" Gina asked gently, h

ugh her voice was still fragil

e knew Joana's decision was the right one, and she was ready to support her fri

e helped my neighbor get a divorce and keep half of her husband

s very interested in making him pay for the betrayal that had

heels clicking against the cracked pavement. She wore a striking red dress, its bold color a stark cont

reath, feeling a pang of doubt. She pulled out the business card from her purse, dou

as unimpressive as the outside-dimly lit, with peeling wallpaper and a faint musty smell. As she approach

"Excuse me!" she called out, tappi

e exclaimed, quickly wiping drool from her face and brushing off a few crumbs f

Reid," Joana replied, he

med Lacy according to her nametag, said. Lacy quickly stood up and l

t open. The room inside was dark, the only light coming from a small lamp on a cluttered desk.

ere?" Joana called out, her

cting you," a deep voice

come from the center of the room, but she couldn't see anyone. For a moment,

ce steady. As soon as she spoke, the lights f

ined with bookshelves, filled with thick legal volumes, and the furniture was polished and expensi

ind it sat a man with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, his gaze sharp and fo

asked, still fee

nding up and extending a hand. "I'm

nitial doubts, there was something about this man that instilled confiden