Incommunicado

‘Hello, miss, my name is Mark and I’m calling from Real Estate Investments. I wanted to share an exciting opportunity with you. We have a remarkable property available—a beautiful manor villa with street-side shops nearby. It’s located in a prime area, with great potential for growth and value appreciation…’ Callie’s heart sank, her excitement dashed at the telemarketer’s voice. Frustration overwhelmed her, and she snapped at the caller before abruptly hanging up. Callie sank into the sofa, clutching a panda plush pillow, feeling lost and conflicted. She had always been independent, self-reliant, and unafraid of facing life’s challenges head-on. Yet, now she found herself deeply missing someone she had only known for a few weeks. She reflected on her upbringing in the orphanage, working tirelessly to support herself and the other children. It was this determination that had brought her to where she was now, a skilled surgeon with a bright future. But amidst all her achievements, she co