I had always been close with Jessica. From the first time I held her in my arms, there was an unspoken bond between us. I was there for all of the significant milestones in her life: her first steps, her first day of school, and every birthday. And when she announced her engagement, it felt like another chapter in our shared story.
It never occurred to me that the story could take such a dark turn. I remember the details of that afternoon vividly—the sun casting a warm glow through the window, the sound of a distant lawnmower, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Jessica’s voice, usually a source of joy, was now laced with unexpected malice. It was as though she was a stranger.
