Alisha closed the door gently behind them. “I’d be better if I knew you were better,” she said, placing a comforting hand on Juniper’s shoulder.

Juniper offered a faint smile. “Work has been complicated lately.”

They moved toward the living room, the afterglow of city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The expansive living room blended seamlessly into the horizon, where the glass walls met the sky, allowing the bustle of the vibrant festivals below to become a moving tapestry of color and life.

“Well, I have my guesses as to why,” Alisha remarked, leading the way to the balcony.

Juniper raised an eyebrow, trying to mask her curiosity. “Okay, well, you tell me.”