EMMA'S POV
The apartment was engulfed in an uncomfortable silence as I stared at the cold numbers on my computer screen. The balance in my bank account, a modest amount of ten thousand dollars, felt like a cruel joke in the face of the overwhelming expenses piling up. My parents' hospital debt, the lawyer fees for the case against Robert Parker, and the defense against Sullivan Tech were financial challenges I was not prepared to face.
My hands ran through my face, expressing the physical and emotional exhaustion the situation was causing. The future seemed bleak, and I felt powerless in the face of the magnitude of the looming obstacles.
Miranda, was always present and loyal, approached, and concerned about my expression. “How are things?” she asked gently.
I shook my head, unable to
