Emily found herself back at the library again today, drawn by an irresistible urge to discover how yesterday's unfinished story concluded. The cliffhanger had been haunting her thoughts all morning. She wandered through the familiar aisles, her fingers trailing along book spines as she also browsed the new arrivals and trending novels displayed on the endcaps.

But the book she desperately sought was nowhere to be found. 'Please don't tell me someone else checked it out...' Her heart began to race with a familiar anxiety. She'd been looking forward to finishing it all day.

After circling the library's main floor twice, Emily finally caught sight of that familiar burgundy spine tucked between two thick hardcovers. 'There it is!' Relief flooded her features as she quickened her pace toward the shelf, her hand already reaching out eagerly. But in that exact moment, another hand shot out from the opposite direction, fingers closing around the very same book.

Emily's entire body went rigid with shock, her breath catching in her throat.

After several heartbeats of stunned silence, Emily finally managed to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.

Um... were you planning to read this book?