Andrew just wouldn't let go of her, leaving her no way to slip away.

Emma was seriously at her limit.

"It's freezing. I'm not listening to you. Let me go, now. Ever heard of respecting your elders? I could be your aunt, you know. Is this really how you treat someone older than you? Did your manners just disappear?"

She rattled off her complaints, but Andrew just stood there, silent, still holding her hand. He didn't let go, didn't say a word. It was like talking to a statue.

Emma glanced at him, noticing how his lips were almost white from the cold. Her frustration faded a little, replaced by a sigh.

"Seriously, what's the point of all this? When Emily actually needed you to care, you didn't. Now she's doing fine, she has a boyfriend, and suddenly you want to check in on her? What's that about? What are you even trying to do?"

Andrew just repeated himself, voice steady. "Auntie, I just want to make sure Emily is safe. That's all."

Emma gave him a look, tired and annoyed. After a long pause, she finally waved her hand. “Alright, alright. I'll call her. I want to know if she's resting, too. So this is for me, not just you."

Andrew's voice was quiet. "Thank you."

"Hold on, don't thank me yet," Emma said. "Let's get one thing straight. If Tristan Davis picks up, you'd better not start anything."

Right on cue, Andrew's brow creased. "Tristan Davis might answer?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "They're dating now. What's wrong with him picking up?"

Andrew was quiet for a second, then shook his head. "It's fine. I just want to know Emily's safe."

Emma let out another little huff and shot him a sideways look.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Emily's number.

The call connected almost right away. Emma put it on speaker and called out, "Is this Emily or Tristan?"

A low, slightly raspy voice answered. "It's me, Auntie. Tristan."

Emma shot Andrew a smug look.

Andrew didn't react, just listened in silence.

"Tristan, is Emily done for the day? Is she resting now?" Emma asked.

"She's finished work. She's asleep at the office, so she can't answer. That's why I picked up," Tristan said.

Emma raised her eyebrows. "Already

asleep? Did she at least get a blanket? Make sure she doesn't catch a cold. It's freezing and the weather report said it might snow. soon. If she's not covered up, catt you make sure she is?"

"She has a blanket and it's really warm. Don't worry, Auntie," Tristan replied.

Emma laughed softly. "I'm not worried. With you there, I'm sure she's fine."

Tristan made a sound of agreement.

"Alright, I'll hang up then. You get some sleep too, okay? Don't stay up too late,” Emma said.

Tristan promised he would. Emma was just about to end the call when Andrew suddenly leaned in and spoke up. "Where's Emily Blair? Let me talk to her."

Both Tristan and Emma fell silent.

Emma's eyes went wide. She shot Andrew a glare, looking both shocked and angry, then hurried to say into the phone, "Tristan, just ignore that, okay? You didn't hear anything m hanging up how."

She ended the call in a flash, then turned on Andrew, her eyes practically shooting sparks.