541: The Desperate Plan

Alex’s sudden shift in demeanor didn’t escape Emma's notice. She could feel the tension emanating from him, despite his attempt to mask it with a gentle expression. Her instincts screamed that something was amiss, and the warmth of his smile did little to alleviate her concerns. “Alex, what are you thinking about?” Emma asked, her voice steady but filled with a suspicion she couldn’t hide. Alex hesitated, his plan to isolate Emma far from the reach of her family weighed heavily on his mind. However, looking into her probing eyes, he faltered, unable to carry through with his dark thoughts. “Nothing... I was just thinking about how we can make this situation better for both of us,” Alex finally said, his voice lacking conviction. Emma wasn’t convinced. “We need to be honest with each other if we’re going to get through this. I need to know I can trust you, Alex.” Her words struck a chord in Alex. The guilt of his earlier thoughts pricked at his conscience. He realized that locking