The morning after Patricia McFee’s death, the world felt darker—even the sky hung heavy with clouds, as if it, too, mourned.
The news broke before sunrise.
“Community Mourns Patricia McFee, Beloved Teacher and Mother of Sabrina McFee.”
“Bakeshop Owner and Former Fiancée of Brace Donovan Loses Her Mother After Long Illness.”
“A Tragedy Behind the Headlines.”
Photos of Sabrina helping her mother at charity events. A childhood photo of Sabrina nestled against Patricia’s chest. A grainy picture of the three women—Sabrina, Gina, and Patricia—outside the bakeshop on a sunny day, all smiles.
But none of the headlines showed the ache that wrapped itself around Sabrina like a noose. She didn’t leave her house. She didn’t answer the door. She barely spoke.
Even to Gina.
The only sound that
