A Sudden Call

The absolute silence in the boutique was deafening. Following Valerie's massive revelation, the quiet hum of the luxury store seemed to evaporate. The ambient classical music playing softly vanished, swallowed by the sheer absurdity of the claim hanging between them. Nobody moved, and for a long moment, nobody dared to breathe.

Tessa blinked, her manicured fingers slipping awkwardly from the shim