Invisible string

bad signal.

Mia hugs the ring tight, swallowing hard, finally letting a tiny shudder escape. "It's... it's Charlotte. She... she heard something wrong over the walkie. She thinks I—" Mia's voice breaks, "...I don't want her anymore. That I want someone else."

Autumn's eyes widen slightly, then soften. "Oh, Mia... that's just a signal issue. She didn't hear you say that. She's in the Lake District, right? No phone? Bad connection?"

Mia nods, tears now threatening to spill over. "Yes... but she hung up. She said it's over. And I... I can't reach her, Aut. I can't. And she believes it."

Autumn exhales slowly, taking Mia's hand. "Okay. Step one: breathe. Step two: we fix this. We'll figure out exactly what to say, and then you go to her. Calm, clear, and... honest. She just needs you to explain it properly. She doesn't know it's a mistake."

Mia squeezes her hand back, nodding, voice tight. "And... the engagement ring. Should I...? I don't even know."

Autumn smiles gently. "Keep it safe for now. You'll need it later. Right now, we focus on her. Let's plan your message, what you say, how you say it, and when you leave. You'll see her again. I promise."

Mia nods again, taking a shaky breath. For the first time in hours, she feels a tiny thread of hope that she might fix this before it's too late.

~~~~~~~

Autumn leans back on the couch, crossing her legs, and looks Mia squarely in the eyes. "Okay. First thing—you're not going to panic. Got it? She's upset, but she doesn't know the truth. You stay calm. You breathe. No yelling, no blubbering, no running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Got it?"

Mia nods quickly, gripping the engagement ring in her pocket like a lifeline. "Got it."

"Good. Step two," Autumn continues, her tone softening, "you start with the truth. Very simple. 'Charlotte, I didn't say that. It was a bad signal. I love you. I want you.' Something along those lines. Don't over-explain, don't justify, don't bring up anyone else. That's poison right now."

Mia bites her lip, nodding again, her voice barely above a whisper. "And... if she's... mad?"

Autumn reaches over and squeezes her hand. "She might be. She might be hurt. That's normal. You acknowledge it. You don't argue. You let her talk, you listen, and you repeat—calmly—what's real. That's all. You're not fixing her feelings, you're just giving her the truth."

Mia swallows hard, taking a shaky breath. "Okay... and the ring...?"

Autumn hesitates a second, then shrugs. "Keep it hidden. Not now. Not yet. Not until you're sure she knows you mean what you say. Right now, your words matter more than the gesture. The ring is later, after you've cleared this mess."

Mia nods, finally letting a small, trembling breath out. She wipes at her eyes, refusing to let them fall fully. "I... I can do that. I think I can do that."

Autumn smiles softly. "Yes, you can. You're Mia. You love her. That's your superpower right now. You just need to focus it."

Mia clenches her fists around the ring, determination flaring despite the fear in her chest. "Okay... I'll go to her. I'll... I'll fix this."

Autumn stands and pats her shoulder. "Good. Now, before you leave, one more thing—don't call her yet. Don't use the walkie. You go there in person. You see her. You talk. Face-to-face. She needs you physically there more than she needs a signal right now."

Mia nods again, more firmly this time. "I can do that. I will."

Autumn steps back, giving her a small, encouraging smile. "Go. Find your Charlotte. And remember, breathe. One step at a time. You've got this."