Chapter Forty-Two: Unearthed Secrets

Emma's POV

I stood in front of the mirror, fixing an errant strand of hair for what felt like the hundredth time. The reflection that stared back at me looked anxious—a face haunted by a myriad of questions that gnawed at my peace. It wasn't just the date with Aaron that had me on edge; it was everything. The unsettling encounter with the elderly woman in the parking lot, Nicholas—always Nicholas—and the curious burn on my arm. My whole existence seemed entwined with shadows that refused to dissipate.

I heard a knock on my door and took a deep breath before opening it to find Aaron standing there, a charming smile plastered on his face. His casual, confident demeanour did little to relax me.

"Ready for our night out?" he asked, offering me his hand.

I forced a smile, slipping my hand into his. "Yeah, let's go."

We decided on a quaint bistro just outside the city limits. The atmosphere was warm, its old-world charm doing wonders to soothe my frazzled nerves. The crackling firewood, the