The Fourth Case (4)

As I stand across the street, my gaze is drawn to the warm glow of the cafe windows.

Yuri is now on the phone, her face lit up with a radiant smile that reaches her eyes, transforming her delicate features. Her laughter carries through the glass, a melodic sound filled with genuine joy and warmth. It's a stark contrast to the shadows that seemed to cling to her when we first spoke.

Intrigued, I watch as she converses animatedly, her free hand gesturing expressively as she chats. Minutes tick by as I observe, transfixed, trying to reconcile this vibrant, carefree Yuri with the troubled soul who created those unsettling paintings. Who could she be talking to? What could have sparked such a profound change in her demeanor?