***The Choice***

Emma stood in her studio. Paint on her hands. Robert's cologne still faint on her skin from earlier.

Her phone buzzed. Daniel.

"I'm outside. Ready to go?"

She looked at the canvas in front of her. Half finished. Raw. Honest.

She typed back.

"Give me five minutes."

Emma washed her hands. Changed her shirt. Fixed her hair. Put on the mask she wore for Daniel.

Outside, his car waited. Engine running. Sophia and Yara in the back ...