124: The Unveiling

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, everyone's eyes fixed on Emma as she stood, poised and unshaken, the echo of her slap still lingering in the air. "Why did you do that?" Alex's voice broke the silence, a mixture of shock and inquiry. Emma turned, her gaze steady. "Because it was long overdue. Your sister here has been painting me as the villain for far too long." Lillian, still reeling from the slap, shot back, "You think you can just hit me and walk away? Alex, are you going to let her do this to me?" Alex, torn, looked from Lillian to Emma. "Emma, we need to talk. There's been too much misunderstanding between us." Emma sighed, her patience wearing thin. "What's there to talk about, Alex? Your family made my life miserable, and you never once stood up for me." The crowd murmured, sensing the depth of the rift between them. Alex, desperate, reached out to her. "Please, Emma. I know I've made mistakes, but can't we start over? I've changed." Emma shoo