A few minutes later, someone knocked softly on the door.

“Celina?” Charlotte’s voice was warm but steady. “May I come in?”

Celina unlocked the door without a word. Charlotte stepped inside and took in the scene: the young woman with her face blotched, eyes swollen, arms wrapped protectively around her belly.

“Hey…” Charlotte crouched down in front of her. “You don’t have to cry like this. You did nothing wrong.”

Celina tried to speak, but the tears kept slipping down, stubborn and hot.

“I know that customer, Celina. He’s like that with everyone. Changes his order and blames the server. This wasn’t your fault, and you handled it with so much grace. I was impressed.”

“I tried…” Celina whispered, her voice breaking. “But… everything feels so hard.”

Charlotte nodded, her expression full of understanding.

“I know. And unfortunately, moments like this will happen again—at work, in life… you’ll meet cruel people. But this”—she pointed gently at Celina’s tearful eyes—“this is learning. You gr