The city lay under a thick, powdery blanket of snow, quiet except for the soft crunch of Emma’s boots on the frozen sidewalks. Morning light filtered weakly through clouds, casting a pale, silver glow on the streets. Emma pulled her scarf tighter and adjusted her coat, feeling both warmth and a strange, lingering chill that had nothing to do with the weather.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Liam.
I’ve arranged some time off. I want to be there with you.
Her heart raced. Relief, joy, and a sudden undercurrent of anxiety tangled together. She had imagined this moment countless times—their reunion, the laughter, the quiet intimacy—but now it was real, and reality always carried more weight than fantasy.
She typed back carefully:
I can’t wait to see you. But… there’s something I need to h
