Chapter 43

The next day dawned with a mixture of relief and residual tension. Joy arrived at my doorstep, her familiar smile a balm to my frayed nerves. We settled in the living room, and I recounted the events at the police station, the restraining order, and Alex’s arrest.

Joy’s eyes reflected empathy as she listened, her presence a comforting anchor. “Laura, you did the right thing. Your safety is paramount, and taking action against a stalker is necessary. I’m here for you, no matter what happens.”

Her words were a soothing melody, and I felt a weight lifting off my shoulders. “Thanks, Joy. It means a lot to have you by my side through all this.”

As we sipped on hot tea, Joy gently changed the topic, steering our conversation towards lighter shores. “So, to lighten the mood a bit, guess what happened to me yesterday?”

I looked at her, curiosity piqued. “What happened?”

A mischievous glint sparkled in Joy’s eyes. “I met someone interesting. His name is David, a