unded by a colorful mess of toys. They were lost in their own littl

uted, her face lighting up with excitement as she

replied, putting on a playful accent. They both burst

ved. Hadassah's heart raced a little; she quickly brushed her hands

ile that masked her concern. "Hi! Welcome home! How have you been?

into his arms, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "Ready for an adventu

t as she realized how much she was managing alone. While Bernard seemed preoccupied, she wonde

sounds of her daughter's laughter echoing in her mind, a bittersw

ere Lily had slept the night before. She paused outs

ernard calle

shirt neatly buttoned and his hair slightly tousled. "Hey,"

eplied casually, not r

She carried Lily to the bathroom and began getting her ready f

"I won't be home for three days. There's something going on at the c

before she could respo

a moment, feeling a mix of

this?" she muttered to h

e, let's get you to school," she said, forcing a smile as she

~

. Sophia stood at her station, her brows furrowed in concentration as she labeled orders with quick, precise strok

ing station, where he and Emma were methodically sealing boxes. His han

tch comes through!" Sophia replied, her voice t

ng stack of sealed boxes. "We're right behind y

d and clanked, and they communicated with quick glances and nods, each knowing their part in the process. "Oli

workings with a focused intensity. "Ethan, keep an

rom his brow. "We're almost at our goal

or belt, and they worked like a well-oiled machine, each person knowing exactly where to place their ha

d lifting the boxes with a cheerful grin

her eyes fixed on the numbers rolling in. "We're at 7,500!" she sh

ason exclaimed, his face a mix of disbelief

rallying everyone. "We can do

ds flew as she labeled, while Liam and Emma sealed with even more urgency. Th

en we hit our target!" Lucas joked,

ed, trying to lighten the mo

back at the counting machine. "We're

f excitement and the thrill of competition. With every box sealed and labeled, they fel

bags filled with meals and energy booster drinks. "Hey, team!" he called

ng their fatigue. "Wow, thanks, Mr. Berna

em. "You all have been working hard. I just wanted to say I appreciate your effort," he sa

the air. Mason took a big bite of his sandwi

uys are doing an amazing job. Let's keep pushi

camaraderie. For the first time in a long while, they saw their boss smile ge

had slipped away, and only 20 orders remained. Just one day to finish them. Workers hurried about, their

from Hadassah. He ignored them, focusing on the frantic energy of his team. Ch

laimed, excitement bubbling in his v

sion shifting from determination to concern. "Hadassah, I'm sorry-we're swamped. We nee

lp with anything," she urged,

t it," Charles replied, trying to reassure h

Just let me com

ark of hope. "Okay! We'll ta

ed from the back, "How

called, her voice trem

nly got twelve hours left!" His voi

ks. The urgency was palpable, thickening the air around them. Then, the unthinkable ha

's heart raced as he rushed to her side. "

r eyes. "No! We need a new one, and

hrough his hair, frustration evident. "What

their faces. The clock showed just ten h

or, her expression fierce. "What's goin

nd we're running out of time!"

imed. "I'm really good with

Bernard asked, h

chance!" she insisted, deter

to work. "Okay, let's do this!" Hadassah sh

lied around her, spirits lifting. "You're amazing,

ding on her forehead. "Thirty-five!" she called, exc

ing! We've got this!" Bernard shouted, determinat

r voice filled with excitement.

g in their hearts. The warehouse buzzed with energy as they celebrated their inc

unsure how to express his appreciation. Finally, he

ding across her face, reflecti

the truck driver from the other company to arrive and pick up the goods they had worked so

l from the other company. A sense of u