Chapter 2 Two

After dropping Noah and Liam off at school, Sofia walked quickly back up the street, enjoying the morning breeze gently brushing her face. The first rays of sunshine illuminated the facades of the buildings, and the smell of coffee wafted through the air, mingling with that of warm bread from a nearby bakery.

She took a deep breath, savoring these moments of calm before the day's hustle and bustle. A teacher at a small private school, Sofia loved her job, even though it wasn't always easy. Her daily life was filled with the laughter of children, papers to grade, and challenges related to education.

Arriving in front of the establishment, a modest but well-maintained building, she immediately spotted a familiar figure leaning against the door frame.

- Are you on lookout again, Julien? she sighed, rolling her eyes.

Her colleague and friend, Julien Marchand, a man in his thirties with a mischievous smile and tousled chestnut hair, crossed his arms, feigning offense.

- I'll keep doing it as long as I can, he replied with a wink.

Sofia shook her head, amused but slightly annoyed.

- I don't like the habit of you waiting for me at the door every morning, she shot back, giving him a sidelong glance.

- And yet, you would be disappointed if I didn't, he countered, following her down the hallway.

Sofia didn't even bother to reply. She knew he was right. Julien had become a fixture in her daily life, a constant presence that made her smile despite herself.

- So, how are your little geniuses doing today? he asked as he opened the teachers' lounge door.

Sofia set her bag on a chair and sighed softly as she sat down.

- Always as talkative, always competing. Everyone wants to be taller and stronger than the other, as if it's a never-ending race, she replied with an affectionate smile.

Julien burst out laughing.

- That's what kids are like. And I bet Noah wants to break a record again today.

- Exactly, he's determined to prove he's the fastest in math, while Liam is hoping for a challenge worthy of him.

Sofia spoke affectionately about her sons, proud of their intelligence and unique personalities. But behind her smile, a hint of nostalgia crossed her gaze. Sometimes, she wondered if she was doing enough for them. That was why she had enrolled them in a reputable school, convinced they deserved the best.

- They will thrive there, you made the right decision, Julien suddenly said, as if reading her thoughts.

Sofia looked up at him, slightly surprised.

- I hope so...

Julien gave her a sincere smile before handing her a coffee he had prepared for her.

- Come on, drink this before the horde of students invades your classroom.

Sofia laughed softly and grabbed the cup, appreciating the attention.

Sofia entered her classroom with her usual sweet smile, greeting the children already settled at their desks. The morning sun cast a golden light on the walls decorated with colorful drawings, making the atmosphere warm and welcoming.

- Hello, my little geniuses! she exclaimed in a cheerful voice as she placed her bag on her desk.

- Hello, Miss Sofia! they all responded in chorus, some enthusiastically, others still half-asleep.

As every morning, she took a piece of chalk and turned to the blackboard to write the date. But as soon as her hand traced the first numbers, her heart skipped a beat.

February 17.

She felt a wave of cold wash over her body. Her fingers tightened around the chalk as her gaze remained fixed on the date.

The day her mother had died.

A shiver ran down her spine, and against her will, a dull pain filled her chest. It had been years since she had avoided thinking about that day, refusing to give it any place in her mind. But today, the memory was stronger.

A flood of images flashed before her eyes: the grave face of the doctor, the machines stopping one by one, her mother's cold hand in hers.

And especially, that look.

The look filled with anger and disappointment that her mother had given her before taking her last breath.

Sofia swallowed hard. She knew why her mother had left with that bitterness.

Because she had done something despicable to save her. Something she told no one about, something she didn't even want to remember.

A trembling hand went to her chest, as if to calm the frantic beating of her heart. She felt her legs weaken and discreetly leaned against her desk.

- Miss?

The thin voice of a small boy pulled her from her torment. Looking up, she met the curious and worried gazes of her students.

- Are you okay? asked a little girl with tight braids.

Sofia forced herself to smile, but she knew it was a failure.

- Yes... yes, everything is fine, she murmured in a slightly trembling voice.

But she was fooling no one.

The emotion choking her was too strong, too brutal. She needed to get out, breathe, regain her composure before the memories overwhelmed her completely.

- I'm just going to... get some air, okay? Stay nice and calm.