386: Echoes of the Past

The café was dimly lit, casting soft shadows around Alex and Emma as they sat across from each other, a tangible tension suspended in the air. The doll, an innocuous object laden with heavy memories, lay between them, its presence a bridge and a barrier simultaneously. Alex studied Emma’s face as she clutched the doll. "I know this must be overwhelming," he began, his voice softer than usual. "The person who gave me this doll seemed to understand its significance to you. It wasn’t just a random choice. There’s intent behind it, a message perhaps." Emma's fingers traced the worn fabric of the doll, her eyes distant. "It’s strange, Alex. This doll... it disappeared the year mom died. To see it now, it's like reopening a book I thought I had closed forever." Alex leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "He’s using what he knows to weave his way into our affairs. It's calculated, Emma. Whatever his endgame, it involves our family more deeply than we thought." Emma met his gaze, her expre