EMMA'S POV
The morning broke in pieces.
Emma woke to light slicing through the edge of the curtains, thin and pale, like it hadn't fully committed to being day yet. The rain from the night before lingered in the air, clinging to the city in a way that made everything feel newly washed but unsettled, as if the world itself was waiting to see what would come next.
Damian was already gone.
She knew without checking the other side of the bed. There was a certain quiet that only existed when he left early—too intentional to be accidental. He never slammed doors, never rushed, but his absence carried weight. Purpose.
Emma lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, replaying his words from the night before.
A choice. One that will define the next phase of your career.
No quiet way back.
