For Sierra, the morning had started with a rare genuine excitement. The gossip mills at Ispire Inc. had been buzzing since late the previous night, and by 7:00 AM, the rumor had been confirmed: Amara Hayes was officially back on the grid. After days of agonizing radio silence, the terrifying news cycles surrounding the explosion, the knowledge that her best friend was safe felt like a physical weight being lifted off Sierra's chest.
She had been drowning in her own workload since Amara's disappearance, forced to navigate her work without her usual partner-in-crime. But today was going to be the turning point. She had already planned out their lunch. and they could finally, finally talk.
"Just gotta get through the front door," Sierra muttered to herself, adjusting the strap of her professional leather tote and giving her reflection in the hallway mirror a quick, determined nod. "Get to the office, find Amara, get the truth. Easy."
