Emma blamed her red hair for her bad luck. The fiery strands had earned her nicknames like “Carrot Top” and “Matchstick” growing up, but now they just served as a reminder that she couldn’t blend in—no matter how much she wanted to. Living in a cramped apartment above a thrift shop, she’d spent years scraping…

The air smelled of fresh rain and blooming hibiscus as Elena walked down Calle Sol, the cobblestone street glistening under the faint glow of the early morning sun. It was Valentine’s Day, but she didn’t feel the usual flutter of hearts and red roses. She felt… hollow. A year ago, this day had been a…