CHAPTER 152: THE UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

MARIE "We can make use of this space till our time of departure," Crystal said, pointing to a seating area. "Thanks," I replied, settling into a seat with little Angelica in her stroller. Looking around the airport, I couldn't help but think how surreal this felt. Of all the places I could be right now, the airport was the last I expected. "Life has a strange way of turning on you," I mused, forcing a smile. I glanced at Angelica, peacefully asleep in her stroller. "If only she knew how far we are from finding peace." But I couldn't keep my mind from circling back to the call. "Your father just got shot!" Those words echoed relentlessly in my head, and a dull headache began to form. "This is the worst possible time for bad news," I thought bitterly. "I'm not emotionally stable, not even close. Why now?" Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed Crystal watching me. Crystal had been trying to lighten the mood since we started packing by cracking jokes and making small talk, but it ha