Stella's POV

The café was quiet that afternoon. The day had been demanding since early morning, and with Alexander traveling to San Francisco, the administrative responsibilities were all on me. I skimmed through the sales reports, trying to stay focused, but my thoughts kept drifting to places I didn't want them to go.

The office door opened slowly, and Larissa stepped in, already wearing her coat, her bag slung over her shoulder.

"I'm going to pick up the boys from school, okay?"

I loo