Tom left the boardroom, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. As he reached his car, his phone rang. His mother's name flashed on the screen.
"Hi, Mom," he answered, trying to inject some cheerfulness into his voice.
"Thomas, darling," his mother's warm voice came through. "I was hoping you might stop by this evening. It's been too long since I've seen you."
Tom hesitated, glancing at his watch. He wanted to get home to Emma, to sort things out. But his mother's tone held a hint of something... worry? Loneliness?
"Sure, Mom," he found himself saying. "I'll be there soon."
As he drove to his childhood home, Tom's mind drifted back to Emma. He pictured her face, determination etched in every line as she argued for her independence. He loved that fire in her, even as it terrified
