Mary moved closer, her eyes filled with compassion. She grabbed Emily's hands and looked her dead in the eyes. "Listen, I wish this could be different. And if it could be, you know I'd go to any length to make sure it is. But right now, it has to be this way. So you need to go back and finish this."
Emily's gaze wavered, her shoulders sagging under the weight of Mary's words. She closed her eyes, trying to summon the strength she needed to face what was ahead. "He thinks I did it," she said softly, her voice breaking.
"Hey," Mary said, her tone firm yet gentle, prompting Emily to open her eyes again. "This is not the time to care about what people think of you. This is the time to put on your confidence and stand firm."
"I…I don't…" Emily stuttered, her hands trembling in Mary's grasp.
