As Christmas drew near, the city streets sparkled with lights and holiday decorations. The air carried the scent of cinnamon and pine, and the bustling crowds hummed with cheerful holiday tunes.
But Maggie’s heart wasn’t as at ease as the festivities around her. Besides being betrayed by her unfaithful ex and coping with her own worries about her future, Maggie was struggling to find part-time work lately, which was taking a toll on her emotional state.
“At least this room provides shelter for a few days,” Maggie consoled herself with a touch of self-deprecation. “Resting at home might help me relax and increase my chances of getting pregnant. That’s something.” Moreover, after the dream she had the day before, she felt like her body had a newfound vitality. It felt remarkably real.
Maggie gently stroked her lower abdomen and then turned her attention to the chaos Max had left behind when he moved out of the rented room. Scattered belongings needed organizing, and she took on the responsibility of restoring order to their living space. As she opened drawers and rearranged items, she stumbled upon a hidden compartment – Max’s secret refuge for contraceptives. When she realized the potential harm they might have caused her body, a sense of defeat coursed through her veins.
Maggie widened her eyes in surprise and also discovered a beautifully crafted leather handbag beneath the bed. This was the very purse she had thrown at Linda during their heated argument, which Linda had forgotten to retrieve upon her hasty departure.
Curiosity was piqued, and Maggie’s fingertips explored the intricate pattern on the handbag’s surface, making her irresistibly eager to uncover its origins. A quick online search revealed the luxury behind the item – it was a coveted piece from the renowned brand “Dance of the Wolf.” The mere mention of its name evoked images of opulence and indulgence. Maggie learned that her handbag, though considered the cheapest of its kind, came with a staggering price tag of $35, 000, leaving her in disbelief.
“Oh my goodness, this handbag is priced at… $35, 000!” Maggie exclaimed, rubbing her eyes in disbelief. “I can’t believe it!”
She couldn’t help but whisper curses directed at her ex-boyfriend and what she once considered her best friend.
Maggie exclaimed in anger, “This handbag cost me a year’s worth of salary!”
She cursed her shameless ex-boyfriend, “Max, you are despicable! You don’t even deserve to be called human!” Her voice seethed with indignation. “Spending my hard-earned money on an outrageously luxurious purse for someone else? It’s beyond outrageous!”
Maggie took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She gently caressed her lower abdomen and whispered, “Don’t be upset. Don’t be upset. The doctor said to relax for the baby’s development.”
But the heartache and financial burden weighed heavily on her, and she quickly navigated to the “Customer Service” page on the official website.
“Return and Exchange Request?”
Her heart began to race, pounding in her chest. She saw a glimmer of hope, an opportunity to salvage her losses.
Trembling hands, she dialed the customer service number, and a sweet voice answered on the other end.
“Hello, how may I assist you today?”
“Hello, I have a handbag I’d like to return. How can I request a refund?”
“Please bring the item you’d like to return and the relevant purchase receipt to our store to initiate the process. The website provides detailed instructions.”
“Is there a deadline for returns?”
“Returns must be completed within one month of purchase.”
Maggie’s heart skipped a beat as she calculated quickly. Yes, according to what Linda had told her, she purchased it on Black Friday, so it had been less than a month.
“I understand. Thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome. Have a pleasant day.”
Maggie breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that she could recover the money from returning the expensive handbag to help her through this challenging period.