Chapter 144

• Emma's POV
• I couldn’t stop the tears from falling as I entered my room and slammed the door. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath, but the pain of what I’d just learned was unbearable. My mind swirled with Damon’s words, each one cutting deeper than the last.
• “What happened, Ems?” Andrea’s voice startled me, breaking through my spiral of despair. She stood up from the bed, her brows furrowed in concern as she rushed over. “Why are you crying?” she asked softly, reaching out to wipe the tears streaming down my cheeks.