Emma's POV

　　I start my search, scrolling through news articles, blogs, and pictures of the crime scene. But as I dig deeper, I can feel Matthew's gaze burning into the side of my head, his presence looming over me like a shadow.

　　I try to ignore it, focusing on the task at hand, but the tension between us is present. It's like there's an invisible barrier between us, one that neither of us can seem to break through.

　　I steal a glance at him out of the corner of my eye, but his expression gives nothing away. He's unreadable, a mystery I can't seem to solve.

　　I return my attention to the computer, the silence in the room stretching between us like a taut wire. But even as I search for answers, I can't shake the feeling that Matthew's watching me, his gaze weighing heavy on my shoulders.

　　My eyes feel strained from staring at the computer screen. I'm scrolling through reports and eyewitness accounts, hoping for a break, a lead, anything. But it's like banging my head against a wall. Frustration's creeping in, but I refuse to throw in the towel. Ava was my best friend, and I'm not gonna rest until I get some answers.

　　But when the pictures appear on the screen, I feel my hands turning cold. The sight of her dead body, her lifeless eyes, the way the silver dagger ruthlessly tears her chest apart, and the blood painting her clothes, it makes bile rush to my mouth. It reminds me of the horror of that day.

　　"Alright, that's enough," Matthew's voice breaks me out of the cage of those painful memories, and he shuts down the computer. The screen turns black, and I sink back into the chair. Blue, and green dots dance in my vision so I rub my eyes.

　　"Aren't you hungry or tired? You have been sitting here all night." He says, and I feel the concern in his voice. He monitored me when I used his desktop. I did not mind because my mind was too occupied with the information I was getting.

　　"I can't rest. Not until I find something on Ava," I retort.

　　His jaw clenches, "Well, you have to get your ass off my desk because you have been occupying it for too long. My office feels foreign to me," He complains.

　　My chest pricks at his words. Well, he's right. He has given me enough access to his office when I am no one but a girl from his enemy pack. "Yeah, I am sorry about it. Also, thank you." I slowly get up from the seat, and feel the stiffness in my back.

　　"For what?" he asks, raising a brow.

　　"For allowing me to use your computer. You have no reason to help me, but you still did. Thank you for that," I say, and give him a small smile.

　　Something flashes in his eyes, but I can't read it. I walk past him, and decide to head back to my room to get some sleep.

　　"Wait," Matthew's voice calls out, and I halt in my steps. I look past my shoulder, and find him staring at me with an unreadable look on his chiseled face. "Come with me." He orders, and walks out of the door. I frown. What now?

　　I follow Matthew into the kitchen, the dim light casting long shadows across the room. He opens the fridge and pulls out a plate piled high with meatloaf and mashed potatoes, holding it out to me with a stern look.

　　"Here, Emma, you need to eat," he says, his voice firm.

　　I take the plate, the aroma of home-cooked comfort food wafting up to greet me. Despite the fact that it's been sitting in the fridge for who knows how long, I can't help but feel a pang of hunger. I've been so focused on Ava's case that I've been neglecting basic things like eating.

　　Matthew watches me expectantly as I eye the meal in my hands. "Do you know how to heat this up?" he asks.

　　I can't help but laugh at his cluelessness. "Don't worry, I got this," I reply, making my way over to the microwave.

　　With a few button presses, I manage to get the microwave humming to life, the sound filling the otherwise silent kitchen.

　　Once it's heated through, I take a seat at the table and dig in, the warmth spreading through me with each bite.

　　"You look pale, Emma," he says, his voice softening. "You shouldn't be skipping your meals."

　　My heart races at his words, and I look down to hide the blush on my face. Is he…worried about me? "S-sure." I focus on the food.

　　Matthew nods, satisfied with my answer. "Good. And after you're done eating, make sure to tell Charlotte a bedtime story. She loves your stories and won't fall asleep without them."