Chapter 54

Katie's POV

The day that Emily was released from prison was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Alex, Lily, Max, and I had spent months preparing for her return, making sure that her room was ready and that we had everything she needed to make the transition back to normal life as smooth as possible.

As we drove to the prison to pick her up, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't know what to expect, or how Emily would react to seeing us again after so many years.

When we arrived at the prison, we were greeted by a stern-faced guard who led us through a series of gates and checkpoints. Finally, we reached a small room where we were told to wait.

A few minutes later, Emily walked in. She looked different than I remembered - older, wearier, and somehow more guarded. But when she saw us, a smile broke out on her face and she rushed over to give us all hugs.

"I can't believe it's finally over," she said, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so grateful to have you guys in m