For the first time in her life, Amanda Hopps sat quietly by herself.

The mayor’s daughter was never one to sit idle. Normally, her days were filled with plans—gossiping with her girlfriends over iced lattes, browsing the boutiques downtown for the latest trends, or finding some way to keep herself at the center of attention. She thrived on the bustle, on being seen, on doing something.

But not today.

Today, Amanda sat on a weathered bench tucked away near the edge of the park, her shoulders hunched as if the weight of the world had finally settled on them. The usual air of confidence and poise she carried was conspicuously absent. In her hands was her phone, the screen illuminating her freckled face. She scrolled through a missing person’s posts, her perfectly manicured fingers trembling slightly.

The image staring back at her was all too familiar: Sarah Grace White, her cousin, smiling brightly alongside her boyfriend, Isaac Lowes. The post was filled with pleading words from Sarah’s family, asking anyone with information to come forward. Beneath the post were dozens of comments—words of support, theories, and speculation. Amanda’s eyes scanned them, but none of it provided any comfort.

She sniffled softly, her blue eyes glistening as she stared at Sarah’s photo. Sarah, who had always been a ray of sunshine at family gatherings. Sarah, who had moved to Willowridge when she was about 12. Sarah, who was now gone without a trace.

Amanda didn’t hear {{user}} approaching until they were right next to her.

Startled, she quickly straightened up, brushing the back of her hand across her cheek in a hasty attempt to hide the evidence of her tears. When she finally looked up, her expression was defiant, her voice sharp and huffy, as if daring them to question her. “What do you want?” she snapped, her words cutting through the stillness around them.