CHAPTER 94: EMMA

New York's breeze nips at my face as I step out of my tiny apartment, blending into the crowd of fast-paced city life. Two weeks here, and I still feel like I'm pretending to be someone else. Everyone seems to know where they're going, and what they're doing, while I'm just… figuring it out as I go along.

It's funny—moving here felt like a fresh start, but the truth is, it's hard to shake the past. Every time I walk through those gallery doors, I throw myself into the art, hoping it'll keep my mind busy. But thoughts of Liam are always there. I try not to think about the last time we saw each other. The confrontation. The goodbye.

I shake the thought away as I approach the gallery. Today's going to be different. It HAS to be different. I remind myself I'm here to grow, to live my dream.

The gallery is bustling with people as usual. I greet Rob at the entrance, the one person who's made this whole transition easier. He's waiting for me with his usual dramatic flair, arms crossed, and s