Chapter Thirty-six

Inside a grocery store, Brenda pushed her cart down the aisle, taking her time to select the freshest fruits and vegetables. The produce section was always her favorite part of the grocery store; it was bright and colorful, and the scent of fresh produce filled the air. Brenda breathed in deeply, savoring the aroma, and smiled to herself. Her day had been peaceful so far, and she was grateful for it. She and Damien had had a positive talk earlier that morning, and Brenda felt a renewed sense of commitment to their marriage pact. It wasn’t going to be easy, but they were both willing to put in the work. Brenda felt proud of herself for making the decision to end her friendship with Alfred, even though it had been difficult. She knew it was for the best, and she felt confident that she would eventually come to peace with it.

As Brenda turned the corner, she scanned the shelves, looking for the last item on her list. When she spotted the bright red packaging of strawberries, she made her