(Michelle Lui's POV)
The morning of our second-to-last day in Country A began with something unusual:
Silence.
Not tense silence.
Not awkward silence.
Not the "I'm ignoring you but pretending I'm not" silence.
Just… stillness.
Peaceful.
Gentle.
Soft, like the breath before a confession — or before a goodbye.
Kate and I walked to the lobby together, both wearing our comfortable fall outfits for the day's itinerary. A city garden stroll in the morning, brunch, then a little shopping.
Lara and Jasmine were already downstairs.
Lara wore a white knit off-shoulder sweater and high-waisted slacks—elegant and composed, though her tired eyes remained.
Jasmine had on a soft pastel coat and matching scarf, fingers tapping on her phone as she waited.
They both smiled when they saw us.
Real smiles.
"Good morning," I greeted.
"Morning," Lara said with a small nod.
