Emma returned home just as dawn began painting the sky in shades of gold and pale blue. The city was slowly waking. A few cars moved through the streets. Streetlights still glowed in the distance. Everything felt quieter than usual. Or perhaps it was simply her mind. By the time she unlocked the front door and stepped inside the house, exhaustion had settled into every part of her body. The living room was dark. The kitchen was empty. Stephanie was still asleep upstairs. Emma set her bag down near the staircase before pulling her phone from her pocket. Her brows lifted. Six missed calls. Three messages. One voicemail. All from Rowan. The earliest call had come barely twenty minutes after she left his apartment. A smile tugged at her lips. She pressed call. The phone rang once. “Emma.” Relief immediately flooded his voice. She leaned against the kitchen counter. “Good morning to you too.” “Where are you?” “Home.” A pause. “Home?” “
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