The morning dawned gently, with the sun's early rays streaming through the half-drawn curtains, painting the room in soft, golden light. Daphne stirred beneath the sheets, feeling the warmth of the sunlight on her face. She blinked, allowing the comforting familiarity of her bedroom to come into focus. Today was the day she had been eagerly anticipating—Billie's concert. But instead of the thrill she expected, a gnawing anxiety clung to her, rooted deep in her stomach.

Daphne sat up slowly, the events of the previous days swirling in her mind. She had barely slept, her thoughts racing from the moment she had left Billie's loft to the unexpected encounter with Alessia. The attack still left her shaken, her nerves frayed. She rubbed her temples, trying to push away the lingering dread that seemed to cling to her like a shadow.

She reached for her phone on the nightstand, swiping to silence the gentle chime of her morning alarm. A message notification flashed across the screen—it was from Grace, checking in to see how she was holding up after the incident. Grace had been a pillar of support, her concern a balm to Daphne's unsettled mind.

*"Morning, Daphne. How are you feeling today? Do you need anything?"*

Daphne hesitated before replying, her fingers hovering over the screen. She appreciated Grace's care, but she didn't want to dwell on the attack. Today was supposed to be about Billie, about the concert, and she didn't want anything to taint that. She typed a quick response.

*"Morning, Grace. I'm okay, just a bit tired. Thanks for checking in. I'll be fine—just need to focus on getting ready for tonight. Let's talk more when you get here later."*

With the message sent, Daphne set the phone aside and threw off the covers, her feet finding the cool hardwood floor. The house was quiet, almost too quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. She shuffled to the bathroom, the familiar routine providing a semblance of normalcy. As she splashed water on her face, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Dark circles under her eyes told the story of a sleepless night, and her skin was paler than usual.

Daphne sighed and reached for her toothbrush, trying to focus on the task at hand. Every brushstroke felt like a small step toward regaining control, something she desperately needed. Her thoughts drifted back to the attack. Alessia's face flashed in her mind—angry, desperate, unhinged. Daphne couldn't fathom how things had escalated to that point. She shuddered, the memory sending a chill down her spine.

It had happened two days ago, just after Daphne had picked up Lily from school. She had decided to take a detour on their way home, stopping at the park to let Lily play for a while. It was a sunny afternoon, the kind that should have been filled with laughter and light. Instead, it had turned into a nightmare.

They had just arrived at the park when Daphne noticed someone standing near the entrance, their posture tense and their eyes fixed on her. It took a moment for Daphne to recognize the figure—Alessia. The last time they had seen each other, their conversation had ended in a bitter argument, but Daphne hadn't expected to see her again, especially not like this.

Alessia approached them with a strange, unsettling intensity, her eyes wild and her movements erratic. Daphne's heart began to race as she instinctively stepped in front of Lily, her protective instincts flaring. Alessia stopped a few feet away, her expression twisted with a mix of anger and desperation.

"What are you doing here, Daphne?" Alessia's voice was low, almost a growl. "Why are you trying to ruin everything?"

Daphne felt a surge of confusion and fear. "Alessia, I'm not trying to ruin anything. What are you talking about?"

Alessia's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her entire body trembling with barely contained rage. "You always think you're so perfect, don't you? Always so calm, so in control. But you're not, Daphne. You're just like the rest of us—weak, vulnerable. And I'm going to prove it."

Before Daphne could react, Alessia lunged at her, her hands outstretched as if she meant to grab her. Daphne barely had time to push Lily behind her, shielding her from the attack. Alessia's hands clawed at Daphne's arms, her nails digging into her skin with a painful sting.

"Stop it, Alessia!" Daphne cried, struggling to fend off the attack. Her heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline surging through her veins as she fought to keep Alessia at bay. But Alessia was relentless, her anger giving her a frightening strength.

Lily screamed, the sound piercing the air and jolting Daphne into action. With a surge of determination, Daphne managed to shove Alessia away, sending her stumbling backward. "Get away from us!" Daphne shouted, her voice trembling with fear and anger.

For a moment, Alessia seemed to waver, her expression flickering between fury and confusion. Then, without warning, she turned and fled, disappearing into the park as quickly as she had appeared.

Daphne stood there, breathing heavily, her body shaking from the shock of what had just happened. Lily clung to her leg, her small body trembling with fear. Daphne knelt down, wrapping her arms around her sister, trying to comfort her even as her own heart raced.

"It's okay, Lily. It's okay," Daphne murmured, her voice soothing despite the terror that still gripped her. "She's gone now. She can't hurt us."

But even as she spoke the words, Daphne couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her. The attack had been so sudden, so unexpected, and it had left her feeling vulnerable in a way she hadn't experienced in years.

She had called Grace as soon as they were safely home, her hands still shaking as she recounted the events of the afternoon. Grace had been furious, demanding to know if Daphne was okay and offering to come over immediately. But Daphne had insisted she was fine, that she just needed some time to process what had happened.

Now, two days later, the fear still lingered, lurking just beneath the surface. Daphne knew she needed to talk to someone about it, but she wasn't ready yet. She wanted to focus on the concert, on the joy that it was supposed to bring. She didn't want Alessia's actions to overshadow that.

After finishing in the bathroom, Daphne returned to the bedroom, pulling open the closet to choose an outfit for the day. She needed something that would make her feel strong, confident—something to push the fear away. Her fingers brushed across a black dress she had been saving for the concert. It was simple yet elegant, with clean lines that hugged her figure just right. She pulled it out and laid it on the bed, imagining herself in the crowd, watching Billie perform. The thought brought a small smile to her lips, despite the anxiety gnawing at her.

Once dressed, Daphne moved to the kitchen, her mind already racing through the tasks ahead. The morning light bathed the room in warmth, the air filled with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Daphne poured herself a cup, savoring the first sip as she leaned against the counter. The house was still quiet, save for the ticking of the clock on the wall. She glanced at it—8:00 a.m. There was plenty of time before she needed to meet Grace and head to the concert venue.

But before the evening's festivities, Daphne had work to do. She was a psychologist, and she had a client scheduled for a session that morning—a young woman named Emily who had been struggling with anxiety and depression. Daphne knew that she needed to be fully present for her client, to put aside her own worries and focus on helping someone else.

The session was set to start in an hour, so Daphne took her coffee to the living room, where she had set up a comfortable, welcoming space for her clients. The room was painted in soft, calming colors—light blues and grays—with plush armchairs and warm lighting. A large window allowed natural light to flood the space, creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Daphne sat down in one of the armchairs, taking a moment to center herself. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, focusing on the rhythm of her breathing. In and out, slow and steady, until she felt her heart rate begin to calm. She needed to be at her best for Emily, to provide the guidance and support that the young woman so desperately needed.

At 9:00 a.m., the doorbell rang, and Daphne stood to answer it. Emily was standing on the porch, looking nervous and uncertain. She was in her early twenties, with wide, expressive eyes and a shy demeanor. Daphne greeted her with a warm smile, inviting her inside.

"Good morning, Emily. Come on in," Daphne said, stepping aside to let her client enter.

"Good morning," Emily replied, her voice soft and hesitant. She walked into the living room, glancing around nervously as she took in the space.

"Please, have a seat," Daphne gestured to the armchair opposite hers. Emily sat down, her posture tense. Daphne could see the anxiety in the way she held herself, in the way her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sweater.

"How are you feeling today, Emily?" Daphne asked gently, taking her seat across from the young woman.

Emily hes

itated, her eyes flicking to the window before returning to Daphne. "I... I'm okay, I guess. It's just... hard, you know?"

Daphne nodded, her expression compassionate. "I understand. It's okay to feel that way. We're here to work through it together."

As they began the session, Daphne found herself fully immersed in the conversation, her own worries temporarily forgotten as she focused on helping Emily navigate her emotions. The young woman spoke about her struggles with anxiety, the constant worry that plagued her, and the fear of not being good enough. Daphne listened carefully, offering words of encouragement and guidance, helping Emily to reframe her thoughts and find a path forward.

The hour passed quickly, and by the end of the session, Emily seemed a little more at ease, her shoulders less tense and her expression softer.

"Thank you, Daphne," Emily said as she stood to leave. "I always feel a little better after talking to you."

"I'm glad to hear that," Daphne replied, walking her to the door. "Remember, you're not alone in this. You're doing great, and we'll keep working through it together."

Emily nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you. I'll see you next week."

With Emily gone, Daphne returned to the living room, feeling a sense of satisfaction from the session. Helping others always brought her a sense of purpose, a reminder of why she had chosen this profession. But as the quiet of the house settled around her once more, the thoughts she had pushed aside began to creep back in.

Daphne sighed, rubbing her temples. She couldn't afford to dwell on the attack. She had too much to do today—she needed to pick up Lily from school, drop her off with Gretta, and then meet Grace to head to the concert. She refused to let Alessia's actions ruin the day she had been looking forward to.

Determined to move forward, Daphne gathered her things and headed out the door. The air was warm and pleasant as she made her way to the car, the sun shining brightly overhead. The drive to Lily's school was uneventful, and when she arrived, Lily was waiting outside with a big smile on her face.

"Hi, Daphne!" Lily called out, waving enthusiastically as she ran over to the car.

"Hi, sweetheart!" Daphne replied, smiling as she bent down to hug her sister. "Are you ready for a fun day?"

"Yeah!" Lily said excitedly. "What are we going to do?"

"Well," Daphne said, opening the car door for Lily to climb in, "first, we're going to drop you off with Gretta, and then I'm going to get ready for something really special."

Lily's eyes widened with curiosity. "What's the special thing?"

Daphne laughed softly. "You'll find out soon enough. But I promise it's going to be amazing."

The drive to Gretta's house was filled with Lily's chatter, her excitement bubbling over. Daphne found herself smiling despite the anxiety that still lingered in the back of her mind. Being around Lily had that effect—it was impossible not to feel a little lighter when she was around.

When they arrived at Gretta's house, Gretta greeted them at the door with her usual warmth. She was a kind-hearted woman in her late thirties, with a gentle smile and a calming presence that put both Daphne and Lily at ease.

"Hi, Daphne. Hi, Lily," Gretta said, kneeling down to hug Lily. "Are you ready for a fun day?"

"Yeah!" Lily replied, bouncing on her toes.

"Great! We've got lots of fun things planned," Gretta said, standing up and smiling at Daphne. "Don't worry, we'll be just fine."

"I know you will," Daphne replied, feeling a wave of relief. "Thanks again, Gretta. I'll pick her up after the concert tonight."

"No problem," Gretta said, waving as she led Lily inside. "Have a great time, Daphne!"

With Lily safely in Gretta's care, Daphne returned to her car, her thoughts turning back to the evening ahead. There was still so much to do, and she wanted everything to be perfect. She drove back home, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the road as she made her way through the familiar streets.

When she arrived home, Daphne took a moment to breathe, trying to calm the nervous energy that had been building up inside her. She had just over an hour before Grace was due to arrive, and she needed to make sure everything was in place.

Daphne went through the motions of preparing for the evening, carefully selecting her outfit, touching up her makeup, and styling her hair. The routine was almost meditative, each step bringing her closer to the person she wanted to be—confident, composed, ready to take on whatever the night had in store.

As she worked, her thoughts drifted back to Alessia. The attack had left a mark, both physically and emotionally, and Daphne couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability it had stirred up. She had always prided herself on being strong, on being able to handle whatever life threw her way. But this... this had been different. It had been personal, a direct assault on her sense of safety and security.

But Daphne was determined not to let it define her. She had survived worse, and she knew she had the strength to move past this too. The concert was a chance to reclaim her sense of self, to remind herself of the things that brought her joy and fulfillment.

By the time Grace arrived, Daphne was feeling more like herself. She greeted her friend with a warm hug, grateful for her presence.

"Daphne, you look amazing!" Grace said, stepping back to admire her friend's outfit. "You're going to knock everyone's socks off tonight."

Daphne laughed, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thanks, Grace. You look pretty incredible yourself."

Grace had chosen a sleek, stylish outfit that perfectly complemented her vibrant personality. The two friends spent the next hour catching up, sharing stories and laughter as they prepared for the evening. The conversation flowed easily, the familiarity and comfort of their friendship providing a much-needed sense of stability.

As they talked, Daphne found herself opening up about the attack, sharing her fears and anxieties with Grace. It wasn't easy to talk about, but Grace's supportive presence made it easier.

"I can't believe Alessia did that," Grace said, her voice filled with concern. "Are you sure you're okay, Daphne? I mean, physically and emotionally?"

Daphne nodded, though she could still feel the lingering effects of the attack. "I'm okay. It was scary, but I'm trying to move past it. I don't want to let her control my life, you know?"

Grace reached out and squeezed Daphne's hand. "You're strong, Daphne. Stronger than you realize. And you're not alone in this. I'm here for you, no matter what."

"Thank you, Grace," Daphne replied, feeling a wave of gratitude. "That means a lot."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as they continued to get ready, the excitement for the evening building with each passing minute. The nerves that had plagued Daphne earlier began to fade, replaced by a sense of anticipation. She was ready—ready to enjoy the concert, to celebrate Billie's success, and to reclaim her sense of self.

As the clock struck 4:00 p.m., Daphne and Grace made their way to the car, their spirits high. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow across the city as they drove to the concert venue. The streets were bustling with activity, the energy of the city a perfect match for the excitement they felt.

Grace chatted animatedly as they drove, her enthusiasm infectious. Daphne found herself smiling, the tension of the day melting away as she focused on the joy of the moment. She was ready to let go of the fear and anxiety, to embrace the happiness that the evening promised.

When they arrived at the venue, the atmosphere was electric. The crowds were already gathering, the buzz of anticipation filling the air. Daphne felt a thrill of excitement as they made their way inside, the reality of the evening finally sinking in.

The night was just beginning, and Daphne was determined to make the most of it. The attack by Alessia was behind her, and she was ready to focus on the present—the music, the energy, the joy of being surrounded by people who shared her passion.

As she and Grace found their seats, Daphne took a deep breath, feeling the excitement and anticipation building inside her. This was what she had been waiting for, what she had been working toward. The concert was more than just a performance—it was a celebration of resilience, of strength, of the power of music to heal and uplift.

And no matter what had happened, Daphne knew she was ready to face it head-on, with Grace by her side and the music in her heart.