The sky was overcast that morning, casting a pale light over the city. Maya sat at the small table near her apartment window, sipping warm tea and staring outside. But her eyes weren’t focused on the streets or the people walking by. Her mind was somewhere else—back in the fitting room, with that child.

  It had been two days since the little girl returned to try on the designs Maya had created. Everything had gone smoothly at first. The girl had laughed, twirled in the mirror, and happily chatted with Maya while changing outfits. But there was something strange about that day—something that had shaken Maya to her core.

  She...