Like every Sunday, I followed my usual grocery-store rhythm, moving through the aisles with a list in hand and the week ahead in mind. I checked produce, compared prices, and chose items that looked fresh and reliable. Among them was a bag of strawberries that seemed picture-perfect—deep red, glossy, neatly packaged, and ready to become part of a simple weekday treat.
The next morning started quietly, with coffee brewing and the refrigerator door open as I reached for something sweet. The strawberries were the obvious choice. I carried the bag to the sink and began removing the plastic wrapping, expecting nothing more than a quick rinse before breakfast. Instead, something inside the package made me pause.
