CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - SOME TRUTHS COME UNDONE

Sarah paced back and forth in her living room, her fiery red hair swinging with each turn. "I can't believe you're even considering taking him back, Emma. After everything he did!" Emma sat on the couch, her green eyes following her best friend's agitated movements. "I'm not saying I am, Sarah. I just... I don't know anymore." Claire, perched on the arm of a nearby chair, interjected, "Maybe we should hear Emma out before jumping to conclusions." Sarah whirled to face Claire. "Don't tell me you're on his side now too?" "I'm on Emma's side," Claire replied calmly. "Whatever that means for her." Emma sighed, running a hand through her brunette locks. "Look, can we just drop it for now? I haven't made any decisions." Sarah's phone buzzed, and she glanced at it with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Fine. But this conversation isn't over. In fact, I have a little surprise planned for tomorrow night." Across town, Marcus sat in a plush office chair, flanked by his parents. Dr. Reynold