Emma walked in the rain to reach the hospital. The cold raindrops slid down her cheeks, mixing with her silent tears.
She blinked at the dark screen, struggling to process what had just happened.
Dead?
Dead body?
Those were the first things that came out of Darla Adams' mouth. Not relief. Not gratitude. Not even basic human concern.
Emma clutched the paper bag tighter against her chest, her heart aching for Jean… not just because of what had happened on the yacht, but because of the life Jean had been forced to live long before this nightmare even started.
She had known Jean's parents were cold. She had known they controlled her every move under the guise of "family duty" and "expectations."
But this... this level of cruelty, of pure indifference... It shook her to the core.
Why?
Why does Jean let them treat her like this? Why can't she fight back?
Emma wiped at her face roughly and resumed walking toward the hospital. She didn't have answers.
Not yet.
