chapter 65

**Emma's POV**

"Who asked you to jump in and take a hit for me? You thought I'd be grateful?" Madam Elizabeth smirked at me, her gaze sharp, watching as I rubbed my cheek, still stinging from the slap. "Don't meddle and do things like that. It's not going to change my mind."

Her words cut through me, though I didn’t let it show. The tension from the earlier confrontation still lingered, thick in the air, but Madam Elizabeth remained composed, almost indifferent. After the incident calmed down, she suggested we continue the conversation at a restaurant, which was conveniently located near the cooking class building. I hesitated before nodding, regret tugging at me.

As we sat across from each other at the small table, the silence was unbearable. I fiddled with my hands, unsure how to start. I swallowed hard before speaking, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's a hard thing to win someone over... especially when you had it and then lost it." The plea in my tone was unmistakable, though