Chapter 52: Regrets

Rachel spent the night tossing and turning, sleep eluding her as the weight of her conversation with Mike pressed heavily on her mind. She replayed every word, every silence, and every look in an attempt to understand how things had gone so wrong. Her confession, meant to clear the air, seemed to have clouded their relationship with doubt and mistrust. By morning, Rachel felt exhausted but determined. She couldn't leave things as they were; she needed to see Mike in person and talk things out. The thought of facing him again filled her with both hope and dread, but she knew she had to try. She couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. She spent the day at her pottery studio, her hands working the clay but her mind elsewhere. The studio, usually a place of solace, felt oppressive as her thoughts circled endlessly around Mike. She glanced at the clock repeatedly, willing the hours to pass faster. Finally, as the afternoon light began to wane, Rachel closed up the studio and headed tow