CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN - Whispers of a Hidden Agenda

At home, Deonna found solace in Kayla. As they cuddled on the couch, reading bedtime stories, Deonna felt a fierce surge of love for her daughter. No matter what happened with Logan, she had Kayla. That thought gave her strength, even as her heart ached with uncertainty. Logan, for his part, was aware of the growing distance between him and Deonna. He wanted to bridge the gap, to reassure her of his love, but every time he tried, the words seemed to stick in his throat. Emma's presence loomed large between them, an unspoken source of tension that neither seemed able to address. One evening, Logan decided to surprise Deonna by coming home early. He picked up her favorite takeout and a bouquet of flowers, hoping to make a gesture of reconciliation. But as he walked into the house, he found Deonna sitting at the kitchen table, surrounded by papers, her face etched with worry. "Deonna? What's wrong?" he asked, setting down the food and flowers. She looked up, her eyes red-rimmed as if