CHAPTER 101: EMMA

I freeze, my eyes locked on the figure across the room. The club's dim lighting makes it hard to see clearly, but there's no mistaking the broad shoulders, the way he holds himself, that familiar stance that I've memorized over the years. It's Liam.

My heart stutters in my chest, and for a moment, I can't breathe. What is he doing here? How could this happen, out of all the places, on this night? It feels like a cruel twist of fate as if the universe is determined to keep throwing him in my path, no matter how hard I try to move on.

"Emma?" Rob's voice breaks through the fog in my mind, and I tear my gaze away from Liam, blinking rapidly to refocus.

"Huh?" I respond, my voice is barely audible over the pounding music.

Rob frowns, leaning closer so I can hear him. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I force a smile, trying to pull myself together. "I'm fine. Just… thought I saw someone I knew."

His eyes narrow, and I can tell he's not buying it, but before he can press t