Chapter 42 – Where the Light Returns

Point of View: Sofía Rojas

The morning was clear and cold.

But today, that didn’t matter.

Sofía slipped on her white coat as if it were armor.

She arrived at the lab five minutes before nine — hair pulled back, bag over her shoulder, carrying the quiet determination she had learned to forge in chaos.

When she pushed open the glass door, everyone was already there.

One by one.

As if no time had passed.

Her mentor, Dr. Ricardo Smith, greeted her with v