#Chapter 250: Gossips & Busybodies

Olivia We found ourselves in a quiet alleyway just off the main square, a place that hadn’t been touched by the fire. The walls were covered in old ivy, the leaves rustling with the gentle morning wind, creating a hushed whisper around us. Angela guided me to sit on a set of worn stone steps that belonged to an old, abandoned bakery. She sat down beside me, her brown eyes glinting with worry and understanding. “Olivia, first things first. Take a deep breath with me. We need to calm those nerves.” She inhaled deeply, motioning for me to mirror her. I followed her lead, inhaling the scent of old bricks and the earthy aroma of the ivy. As I exhaled, I tried to release the tension, the humiliation, and the sting of the accusations. “They’re just scared, Olivia,” Angela began softly, reaching out to take my hand. “People are always afraid of what they don’t understand, and right now, to them, you’re a mystery.” I pulled my knees up to my chest. “But why