A few heavy seconds passed.
Then Theresa slowly shook her head once.
"No. But thank you for your concern."
Her voice remained calm, yet it sliced through the air with quiet finality.
Emma's expression shifted instantly.
"I want to take you there myself," she said quickly, stepping half a pace forward as urgency crept into her tone.
She didn't answer. She walked past Emma instead, the sound of her footsteps soft against the floor as she moved toward the handbag resting on a chair at the end of the hallway.
Emma turned slightly, watching her go, her hands flexing as if she wasn't sure whether to reach out again.
The moment Theresa bent and grabbed the bags, Emma moved in and reached for her arm.
"Theresa…"
But she reacted instantly, shoving her away with a sudden burst of anger.
