CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE - THE GREAT OFFICE DIVIDE

  "I... I don't know what to say," Nia stammered, feeling overwhelmed. She couldn't remember the last time she'd celebrated her birthday. In prison, it had just been another day to get through. Helia came forward, enveloping Nia in a warm hug. "You didn't think we'd forget, did you? Come on, we've got cake!" As if on cue, Old Man Barnaby wheeled out a cart with a beautiful chocolate cake, complete with flickering candles. Nia felt tears pricking at her eyes as her coworkers urged her to make a wish. Taking a deep breath, Nia closed her eyes. What could she possibly wish for? Freedom from her past? A chance at a real future? As she blew out the candles, she settled on a simple wish: to find peace, wherever her path might lead her. As Helia began cutting the cake, other coworkers approached with small, wrapped packages. Nia protested weakly, insisting they shouldn't have, but secretly she was touched by their thoughtfulness. She had just finished unwrapping a lovely scarf from Heli