Emma watched as her father, Michael, left her apartment, his shoulders weighed down by the burden of the truth he had finally confessed. The door closed softly behind him, leaving her alone with the turmoil of emotions that swirled within her.
"Take care," were his parting words, and they hung in the air, heavy with the unresolved issues that now defined their relationship.
As evening descended, Emma was roused from her thoughts by the insistent chime of her doorbell. She went to answer it and found Carl standing on her doorstep.
"Hey, Emma," Carl greeted her with a warm smile. "I heard you wanted to talk."
Emma nodded and stepped aside to let him in. "Come in, Carl. Thank you for coming."
Carl entered and looked around her apartment, his gaze lingering on the various pieces of furniture that were still in the process of finding their places. "Nice place you got here," he commented.
