CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN – LETTER OF RESIGNATION

A persistent buzzing roused Karina from the depths of her exhausted slumber. She cracked one eye open blearily, squinting at the harsh stream of early morning sunlight filtering through her curtains. The buzzing continued, resolving into the unmistakable trill of her apartment's buzzer system for visitors. Karina groaned, rolling onto her back as she seriously contemplated just ignoring whoever was inconsiderately paying a call at—she glanced at the clock—seven-thirty on a Saturday morning. The buzzer trilled again, more insistently this time. Clearly her unexpected guest wasn't deterred by her lack of response. With a grunt of resignation, Karina hauled herself upright and stumbled towards the intercom, rubbing at her eyes. "Hello?" she croaked out, voice still roughened from sleep. "Good morning, sunshine!" Marie's overly chipper tone crackled through the speaker, causing Karina to wince. "You're not still asleep at this hour, are you?" Of course it would be Marie, the perpetual