Chapter 41: Bitter-Sweet? Sweet!!

The sun dipped low, casting long shadows across my room as I sat by the window, lost in thought. It had been one of those days where everything seemed to move in slow motion, and I was ready to unwind when my phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, I saw Samantha’s name flashing. A smile tugged at my lips. She was always a ray of sunshine, bringing light to even the darkest days. “Hey, Sam. What’s up?” I answered, expecting our usual chat. Before I could say anything else, she burst out, “Lily! Guess what just happened!” Her voice was electric with excitement, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s going on, Sam? Tell me!” “I got the job! I got the job at the firm!” Her words tumbled out in a rush, and I could almost see her beaming with joy. I felt a rush of happiness for her, my own worries momentarily forgotten. “Oh my God, Sam! That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!” We both laughed, our voices mingling in shared joy. Samantha had been more than a friend to me; she was family. S