Rachel Baldwin wiped her hands on her apron as she scanned the diner, making sure her tables were satisfied before slipping into the kitchen for a moment of reprieve. The steady hum of the coffee machine and the clatter of dishes in the background filled the space, the familiar sounds of her daily grind. The scent of sizzling bacon and fresh pancakes wafted through the air, mixing with the faint aroma of coffee—a comforting yet relentless reminder of the long day ahead. She caught a glimpse of herself in the small mirror by the swinging kitchen door, her brown hair pulled back into a neat ponytail, a few stubborn strands…