67

Elliot POV

As Brianna and I worked side by side in the kitchen, her words about Emily's pain lingered in my mind. The clinking of utensils and the gentle sizzle of food on the stove seemed to provide a backdrop to our conversation, which carried a weight of empathy and concern.

"Brianna," I began, my thoughts still on Emily's struggle, "it's unimaginable, the pain that Emily is going through. Losing her mother in such a tragic way must be tearing her apart."

Brianna glanced at me, her expression reflecting the gravity of the situation. "I know, Elliot. It's heart-wrenching to witness someone you care about go through so much."

I nodded in agreement, the weight of Emily's grief and determination hanging heavy in the air. "She's on a path to seek justice, to find the truth. But I can't help but wonder who could do something so cruel."

Brianna paused in her cooking, her gaze distant. "It's a question that weighs heavily on all of us. How could someone take a life so callously?"

The flame