Annabelle sat alone in her room, enveloped in a cloud of melancholy. The weight of her emotions bore down on her, leaving her feeling drained and despondent. She had withdrawn from the festivities downstairs, weary of the false smiles and insincere greetings that permeated their home during celebratory periods.
As she sat lost in her thoughts, a gentle knock on the door disrupted her solitude. "Come in, it's open," she called out, her voice tinged with resignation. Her mood lifted instantly as Clary entered the room, her presence bringing a ray of sunshine into the gloom.
"Welcome back, babe!" Clary exclaimed excitedly, rushing forward to envelop Annabelle in a warm hug. "I rushed back as soon as I heard," she continued, her eyes scanning Annabelle's face with concern. "You look so pale, what's the matter? Cheer up, girl. I'm here for you. Let's get you back to your old self," she said, her voice filled with reassurance.