Beneath The Surface

Catherine "Cate" Lawson has always been a fortress-calm, composed, and unreachable. A dedicated teacher in her mid-thirties, Cate keeps her emotions locked away, hiding scars she believes no one can understand. But when Sophie Carrington, a perceptive and quietly confident young woman, steps into her life, she sees something others don't: the cracks in Cate's walls.

As Sophie's steady presence and unshakable warmth begin to thaw Cate's icy reserve, an unexpected bond forms, challenging them both to confront truths buried beneath the surface. Together, they navigate the uncharted waters of vulnerability, trust, and the kind of connection that changes everything.

⋇ ⊶ ⊰ ✧ ⊱ ⊷ ⋇

I think I'll keep this story short, but we'll see.