The atmosphere grew heavy as Szedra prepared to share her story. With her gaze fixed on the dancing flames, she began, "I live with my dad, who used to be the greatest dad in the world. But everything changed when he brought an evil stepmother into our lives."
Zino, hoping for a personal and authentic conversation, felt a pang of disappointment as Szedra's words seemed to echo a fictional tale rather than her own experiences. The silence that followed prompted Zack to clear his throat, attempting to break the tension. He tried again, this time louder, and Szedra finally looked up at him, her voice monotone as she asked, "What?"
Unbeknownst to Szedra, Zack's intention was to encourage her to keep sharing, not to address the content of her previous statement. He smiled warmly when she continued,
