CHAPTER 76: EMMA

When I get home, it's late, and the house is dark and quiet. I drop my keys on the table by the door, my feet aching from a long day. I'm not in the mood for any more surprises, but as I walk into the living room, I see Liam sitting there, almost hidden in the shadows. He's got a glass of whiskey in one hand, his posture slumped, like the weight of the world is pressing down on his shoulders.

For a second, I wonder if I should just ignore him and go straight to my room. I'm not sure I have the energy to face him right now, not after everything that's happened. But he notices me standing there and looks up, his eyes filled with something I can't quite read. It's like guilt mixed with exhaustion, but I can't tell what he's feeling guilty about.

"Emma," he says, his voice heavy and a little slurred from the alcohol. "We need to talk."

I roll my eyes. "I'm not in the mood, Liam. I've had a long day, and I just want to sleep. Besides, you don't look like you're in any state to talk about a