Chapter 44

After Katie left, I led Emma toward the bed. She moved quietly, her steps hesitant. Once she sat down, I turned and went back to close the door, making sure we had privacy.

I needed to hear everything without interruption, and this conversation couldn’t wait any longer.

When I returned, I sat down beside her, feeling the distance between us despite our proximity. There were so many unspoken things, so many secrets weighing on us.

I looked at her, searching her face for something, but she kept her gaze down, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the bedspread.

“Emma,” I started, my voice low. “These past few months… without you… haven’t been easy. If I said otherwise, I’d be lying.”

She didn’t respond immediately, her shoulders tensing at my words. I could sense the emotional walls she had built, the ones I was trying to break through. I took a breath, knowing I had to push her, even if it hurt.

“But what’s been harder… is not knowing the truth. I need you to tell me e