pressing it deliberately into the icing. A beat later, Vanessa glanced down—and screamed.

No one spoke for several long seconds.

Then Denise stood up. “You tried to set her up.”

Vanessa’s face went crimson. “We were just making a point.”

“What point?” someone called out.

Vanessa had no answer.

Edward pointed at me, his voice sharp. “Turn that off.”

“No.”

“Claire…” He moved toward the counter.

Nicole stepped to my side. I raised my hand. “Don’t come any closer.”

He stopped. His voice dropped to the tone that used to make my stomach knot. “You have no idea what you’re doing.”

For years, those words would have sent me shrinking. That day, they meant nothing.

I walked to his table, picked up the ruined cinnamon roll, and turned to face him.

“You need to leave.”

He stared at me. “I’m a paying customer.”

“No.” I carried the plate behind the

counter and dropped it into the trash. “You stopped being a customer the moment you sabotaged my food and tried to ruin my business. This is my bakery. You are not welcome here anymore.”

His face twisted. “I can leave reviews. I can tell everyone how I was treated.”

Denise laughed out loud. “Please do.”

Another customer held up her phone. “And tell them to ask about the security footage.”

Vanessa grabbed his arm. “We’re leaving. Now.”

And finally, he let himself be pulled out the door.

 

 

Part 7: Beginning Again

The bell chimed behind them, and the room fell silent.

I stood behind the counter, gripping the edge so hard my knuckles turned white.

“I’m so sorry, everyone,” I said. “I never… you shouldn’t have had to see that.”

Denise shook her head immediately. “No. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for.”

A man by the window