Michael Harrington led Emily away from the street, his presence a beacon of stability in her now chaotic world. They walked to a waiting car parked discreetly nearby, and as the door closed behind them, Emily felt the warmth of the vehicle envelop her, a stark contrast to the coldness of the pavement where she had stood moments before.
The drive to Michael’s office in downtown Los Angeles was filled with a comforting silence, punctuated only by the soft hum of the car engine. Emily sat beside the lawyer, clutching her backpack like a lifeline, while she tried to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.
