CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE: UNCERTAINTY

As the months passed, the boutique flourished, and life seemed to be settling into a comfortable rhythm for Anna and her family. However, Jonathan’s work began to demand more of his time and attention. Frequent business trips took him away for days, sometimes weeks at a time, leaving Anna to manage everything on her own. At first, Anna managed well enough, pouring her energy into the boutique and cherishing the time she had with Oliver. She tried to keep herself busy, focusing on her business and Oliver’s activities to distract herself from the growing loneliness she felt in Jonathan’s absence. But as the weeks turned into months, the weight of managing everything on her own began to take its toll. Jonathan called and video chatted as often as he could, but it wasn’t the same as having him there. The late nights alone grew longer, and the empty bed felt colder. Anna missed the warmth of Jonathan’s presence, his reassuring touch, and the comfort of knowing he was there beside her. She