CHAPTER 97: LIAM

It's late—past 2:30 AM—and I'm still at my desk, trying to lose myself at work. The silence around me is heavy, and all I can think about is how long it's been since I last heard from Emma. She's in New York, living her life, while I'm stuck here trying to pretend like everything's fine.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes. I glance at it, not expecting anything important, but when I see Emma's name on the screen, my heart skips a beat. For a second, I think I'm seeing things. She hasn't called me since she left.

Without thinking, I answer, my voice steady despite the surge of emotions. "Emma?"

There's a pause, and then her voice comes through, soft and slurred. "Liam…"

Hearing her voice sends a wave of relief through me, but I quickly realize she's drunk. Very drunk. There's a lightness to her tone, something I haven't heard in a while. "Emma, is everything alright?" I ask, concern lacing my words.

She giggles—a sound that tugs at something deep inside me. "Why wouldn't it be? I'm just… thinki