Months later, Emma sat in her now-cozy studio apartment, surrounded by her paintings and a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in years. She realized that Diane’s words had been a catalyst, not a curse. Emma hadn’t died without the Collins family. Instead, she had thrived, creating a life that was entirely her own.

When she encountered Mark and his parents at a local event, they were taken aback by her transformation. Emma was no longer the woman who had left their house in tears. She was confident, successful, and happy. Diane, unable to mask her surprise, muttered a half-hearted apology. Emma simply smiled and walked past them, grateful not for their validation but for the freedom to live life on her terms.