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Chapter 1 The Cookie and the Stranger

Word Count: 887    |    Released on: 29/07/2025

e glanced up from behind the counter, brushing a smear of flour from her cheek. It was midmorning past the rush, too early

't expec

white button-down shirt, his hair a little too perfectly combed to be casual. He looked like he'd walked

er, her voice gentle. "Hey ther

ared at the trays of cookies with a gaze so

palms open like he was a stray kit

n't run. His eyes flicked to

asked. "You like

tiniest nod.

smiled. "Tell you what. You sit down over there, and

corner table and sat like someone used

lk, he was staring at the wall like he wasn't really seeing it. He blinke

're okay, hon

bite. Didn

d her arms, frowning.

m the back. "That sup

when she s

ago," Emery explained qui

ed. Concern sharpened h

hink

the bell over the door burst to

scanning the room. One spotted the boy and

muttered. "W

e walk

posture like he'd never been told no in his life. The

at the boy-who had frozen mid-bite-and then

my son?" he asked,

inked. "

s not

to be. He lo

nd of man who silenced boardrooms by walking in. "You think it's normal

er heart raced, but she refused to let her v

em. A threat. She felt her ski

ot teachers, not doctors. He hasn't spoken i

ch. But he looked like he needed

stepped forward. "Sir, we shoul

s son again-who, somehow, was finishing

to her: "What

ry V

have c

N

rri

yes. "That's none

he said. "To quit whatever you

l like a dr

on air. "I'm

reason. Either he felt safe, or he was d

y. "I run this bakery. With my best

revenue you're currently pulling. Your fri

. "Are you

joke abou

r a second. His eyes were big and

d somethi

me," she s

st. My son doesn't let people in.

and left, his guards movi

ery doo

nce

t happen?" Ni

ere, watching the b

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