Annabelle had spent the evening determined to drown her sorrows in a bottle of wine. The dimly lit bar provided the perfect ambiance for her solitary indulgence, and she relished the feeling of the alcohol numbing her emotions. As she lifted the glass to her lips, her thoughts were dominated by the recent events that had left her feeling frustrated and hurt.
Just as she was about to take another sip, her phone buzzed and startled her out of her reverie. She glanced at the screen to discover it was a video call from Clary, her childhood best friend. A faint smile crossed her face as she accepted the call.
"Hey girl," Clary's voice sounded excited over the phone. Her eyes beamed with happiness, but she quickly noticed the change in Annabelle's mood. Concern etched her face as she asked, "You're not happy. What's the matter with you?"
Annabelle hesitated for a moment, trying to mask her emotions. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice not as convincing as she'd hoped.
