That morning, the sky looked bright. Sheena wore simple yet neat clothes, her work bag slung over her shoulder. Her face looked focused, though the remnants of last night’s exhaustion had not completely faded.

Inside the apartment, Ghani was still sitting on the sofa with the babysitter.

“Will Mommy come home in the afternoon?” Ghani asked while hugging his small pillow.

“Yes,” Sheena replied as she crouched in front of him. “Mommy has to work first. Listen to Auntie, okay?”

Ghani nodded. “Be careful, Mommy.”

Sheena smiled and briefly kissed Ghani’s forehead. “Of course.”

She stood up, stepped outside, and the door closed softly behind her. Sheena pressed the elevator...