A Toxic Encounter

CLARA'S POV

I tucked myself away into a quiet corner of the hotel café with a cup of lukewarm coffee. I needed to figure out when my life had transitioned into such a spectacular trainwreck. I slouched against the rigid wooden back of the booth, staring blankly at the dark liquid in my ceramic mug. I let the soft, rhythmic hum of the industrial espresso machines wash over me. The scattered clinki