Chapter 53

and help you,” Shawn offered. He parked his car and stepped out, a look of concern on his face.

Elisa, meanwhile, had been waiting for them at the Hermès store. “Let’s take a breather with Mom,” she suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

“Mom’s been feeling down because of the situation with her sister,” Serenity replied, her voice tinged with worry. Elisa pursed her lips and responded, “Mom and her sister have been estranged for years. Who knows how many times her sister has gone through the adoption system? She might have even lost the photograph we’re looking for. It feels like we’re searching for a needle in a haystack.”

“Even so, we need to make the effort,” Serenity insisted. Elisa stayed silent for a moment, understanding that this was an important wish for their mother. As her children, they felt it was their duty to support Mom Mulaillit, even if it was a daunting task.

After a busy day at the shop, Serenity was exhausted. She had closed up at eleven that night and was riding her e-bike home. Wiltspoon was alive with activity; even at this hour, the streets buzzed with people. Food trucks lined the roads, and the air was filled with the tempting scent of late-night snacks. Serenity rode past the hungry crowds, focusing on getting home.

As she pedaled, a group of young men noticed her and shouted some crude remarks, but she ignored them, determined not to let their comments affect her. She came to a halt at a red light, patiently waiting for her turn. When the light turned green, she pressed the pedal and whizzed through the intersection. Suddenly, her bike sputtered and came to a complete stop. Confused, Serenity checked her battery—there was still plenty of charge left.

“What on earth?” she wondered aloud. She attempted to restart the bike several times, but it wouldn’t budge. Just then, a familiar voice broke through her frustration. “Is that you, Serenity? I thought I recognized your back! For a second, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.” A car pulled up beside her, and the window rolled down to reveal Jasmine’s cousin, Shawn.

“Shawn!” Serenity exclaimed, relieved to see a friendly face. “My bike just stopped working out of nowhere, but the battery’s full. I have no idea what’s wrong with it.”

“Don’t worry, Serenity. Just hang tight while I park my car,” Shawn reassured her, swiftly maneuvering to the side of the road to assist her.

Shawn maneuvered his car to the curb and parked it. Once he stepped out, he approached Serenity’s bike to assess the situation. With an apologetic tone, Shawn said, “I’m not very familiar with e-bikes, so I’m not sure what the issue is, Serenity. Would you like me to arrange for your bike to be towed to a repair shop? I can take you home afterward.” Serenity then inquired, “Do you happen to know if there’s an electric vehicle repair shop in the vicinity?”