As Emma walked up the stairs to her apartment, the weight of the day settled heavily on her shoulders. She had ended things with Mark, and although she knew it was the right decision, it left her feeling drained and emotionally raw. She opened her door, bracing herself for the loneliness that usually greeted her. Instead, she was met with the mouthwatering aroma of a home-cooked meal.
"Tom?" she called out, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her voice.
"In here," he replied from the kitchen.
She walked in to find Tom bustling around, putting the finishing touches on a delicious-looking spread. He turned to her with a warm smile, his eyes lighting up as he took in her presence.
"Hey, you," he said softly, setting down a bowl of salad. "I thought you might need a nice meal after today."
