Chapter 160. Breaking Claire

As the first light of Thursday morning creeps through the window, Lara finds herself consumed by worry, the events of the past days weighing heavily on her mind, casting a shadow over her restless night.

She spends the entire night counting sheep, desperately hoping to coax herself into some much-needed sleep. When Old McDonald's farm seems to run out of sheep, she resorts to counting the goats in Farmer George's field, all within the confines of her own mind.

With the dawn of Thursday, the uncertainty and anxiety that have plagued Lara throughout the night seem to intensify. Every passing minute feels like an eternity as she anxiously waits for any sign of progress or resolution.

Then, precisely at nine forty-five AM, Lara's phone breaks the silence. With a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, she reaches for it, her heart racing as she sees Carter's name flashing on the screen. Her gaze lingers on the screen for a moment, her mind swirlin