The morning light streamed through my office windows, warming the room with a soft, golden glow. But the peaceful ambiance did nothing to calm the storm inside me. My eyes were locked on the countdown timer on my laptop screen, the numbers ticking down with ruthless precision.
[18 days remaining.]
It was like a constant, unrelenting heartbeat, a reminder that time was slipping away faster than I could manage. I took a deep breath, letting the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fill my lungs, trying to find a moment of calm. But calm was a luxury I couldn't afford right now. Not with so much on the line.