Emily’s POV

I told Maria I was going for a walk.

She looked at me the way she always does, like someone that was suspicious of me but never fully trusting me.

She nodded and went back to folding linens.

Then I slipped out through the side entrance before anyone thought to ask follow-up questions.

The morning was cold, the type of New York morning that feels like the city hasn’t woken up yet.

I pulled my coat tighter and kept my head down, moving with the current of people on ...