The morning sunlight filtered through the kitchen window as Nora busied herself with the coffee machine. As the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, Jane entered the room, her steps slow and cautious.
"Good morning," Nora greeted, her voice soft. "How are you feeling today?"
Jane's shoulders tensed as she avoided Nora's gaze, "Better, thank you."
Nora's brow furrowed, "Last night… You were really upset about your boyfriend. Are you sure everything's okay?"
Jane's eyes widened in surprise. "What? No, I—"
Nora held up a hand to silence her, "Jane, I know you were lying. You don't have a boyfriend. Something else is going on."
Jane's lips parted in shock, "Nora, I…" She trailed off, unable to continue her lie.
Nora's expression remained unwavering, her gaze steady. "You're my friend, Jane. You can tell me what's wrong."
"I'll tell you," Jane murmured, her gaze shifting to the floor. "When the time is right."
