538: Unwanted Detour

Alex's choice to fly Emma to the lavender fields without her explicit consent deeply unsettled her. The fields, a place she once dreamt of visiting with someone she loved, now felt like a bizarre imposition on her wishes, especially under the current circumstances. "I understand your desire to fulfill an old wish of mine," Emma said, trying to keep her voice calm despite her frustration. "But doing this without my agreement, especially at a time like this, makes me uncomfortable. It's not romantic—it's coercive. Please, let's just go home." Alex seemed taken aback by her reaction. His intentions, while seemingly thoughtful, had not considered the current tension and Emma's state of mind. "I'm sorry, I thought it would be a pleasant surprise. I wanted to make you happy, to take your mind off the stress from Clarke Zodiac’s actions," Alex explained, his voice tinged with regret. "But I see now that I should have asked you first." Emma sighed, looking out the airplane window, her thou