Chapter 16: Ellie

I trudged to the bathroom, determined to drown out the thoughts of balance sheets and board meetings with something far more soothing. A grin on my face, I went for another of my go-to methods for total relaxation – a bath. 

I flicked on the faucet, letting the tub fill with steamy water while I hunted down candles from the back of my closet. One by one, I placed them around the edge of the bath, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows against the tiles.

Striking a match, I lit the last candle and turned off the harsh overhead lights. The room instantly transformed into a sanctuary. A few drops of lavender oil into the water and the air was heavy with its calming scent. It was like prepping for a ritual, a sacred unwinding of the day's tight knots.