Chapter 46

The slam of the apartment door echoed the desolation in Nancy's heart. She leaned against it, the weight of the day settling heavy on her shoulders like a damp, unwelcome cloak. The stale air of the tiny studio apartment did little to dispel the lingering scent of bleach and disinfectant that clung to her skin and clothes, a constant reminder of the day's drudgery.

Kicking off her worn-out shoes, she sank onto the lumpy sofa, its once vibrant fabric now faded and threadbare. Closing her eyes, she tried to replay the day's events, searching for a single positive moment, a sliver of light in the oppressive darkness. But all she found were Mr. Dubois' sneering face, the endless grime, the sting of aching muscles, and the crushing weight of her own dashed expectations.

She hadn't imagined this. Working as a cleaner was supposed to be a temporary solution, a stepping stone to something better. But the reality was a far cry from the image she had conjured in her mind. The work was relen