“Thank you, Alisha. For everything.”

“Anytime, Juni,” Alisha replied, squeezing her hand. “Remember, you’re not alone in this.”

“See you soon?” Alisha asked as they reached the door.

“Definitely,” Juniper said with a genuine smile. “I’d say we are in the same building but your unit is still basically a mile away”

Alisha winked. “I can’t wait.”

They hugged tightly before Juniper made her way back to her apartment, her steps lighter than they’d been in weeks. The challenges ahead didn’t seem so insurmountable anymore, and she felt ready to face whatever came next.

As she walked through the grand halls of the building, she whispered to herself, “One day at a time.”

Juniper entered her own apartment, the familiar space welcoming yet quiet. She set her bag down and kicked off her shoes, the silence interrupted only by the faint buzz of the city outside. She made her way to the window, gazing out at the vastly different landscape.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. Be yourself, she reminded herself. Just be yourself.

Juniper changed into her comfortable pajamas and settled onto the sofa with a cup of tea. The warmth seeped into her hands, soothing her frayed nerves. She picked up her tab, considering whether to review the case files again, but decided against it. Tonight, she needed a break.