Abby

The air in the studio feels dense with anticipation as Karl and I walk back to our

station together. The crowd murmurs as they become aware of the implications:

that only Daniel and I are returning, and Bryan, the third contestant, is nowhere

to be found despite the fact that the winners of the second round were never

officially announced.

“You okay?” Karl murmurs as we take our spots, standing next to each other

with our shoulders touching.

I nod and shrug at the same time, a sense of guilt and trepidation washing over

me. “Yes. Sort of. Maybe. I don’t know,” I murmur, clearing my throat subtly.

Enter title…

Karl shoots me a confused look from beneath his blue surgical mask. “What

does that mean?” he asks, worry lacing his voice.

I can’t contain my sigh. “It means that, if it weren’t for Bryan’s mother dying, I

wouldn’t be standing here right now,” I say quietly. “And I’m not sure how to feel

about it, if I’m being honest.”

Karl is silent for a moment before he speaks. “Listen, Abby, I know it’s a shock.

But—”

Suddenly, before he can finish, the director holds up his fingers and begins

counting down from three. The stage falls silent, and the cameras begin rolling.

announcer makes his way across the stage, his face more somber

was before. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he starts, “before we proceed to

have an announcement

curled tightly around the edge of my

unyielding, even as we face the

to prove me right; his eyes are

sort of glee.

joining us for the final

audience. “Due to a

chosen to withdraw.”

turns into a low hum, the

announcer continues. “Bryan’s mother has passed away. Let

moment of silence.”

the silence stretches over the crowd, I feel my head bow

due to a death. A wave of guilt washes

here after my

clears his throat and continues. “Now… the final

he announces. The

excitement winding through the air

a dish that

black truffle butter and

My heart lurches.

That dish. My dish.

until my hands moved with the memory of

elusive truffles

a coincidence. It feels like fate. It feels like a

my breath hitching in my

closer. “I

gripping the edge

me, I thought so,

voice booming over the microphone brings us

the moment at

skill to get

noise of the crowd. “And now, they will

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