CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVEN: MICHEAL

Anna first met Michael at a local coffee shop, where they both happened to be regulars. Their initial interaction was brief—a polite exchange of greetings as they waited in line for their morning caffeine fix—but there was something about Michael that caught Anna's attention. He had a warm smile and an easygoing charm that put her at ease right away. They struck up a conversation as they waited for their orders, discovering that they had a lot in common. They both shared a love for travel, a passion for good food, and a quirky sense of humor that had them laughing in no time. As they parted ways that morning, Anna couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special about Michael. She found herself thinking about him throughout the day, wondering if they would run into each other again. Sure enough, fate seemed to have other plans. Over the next few weeks, Anna and Michael found themselves crossing paths more and more often—at the coffee shop, at the gym, even at the local fa