393: Under Watchful Eyes

The cool evening air was thick with tension as Emma and Bauer lingered at the door, their goodbyes stretched by reluctance to part. Unbeknownst to them, Emma’s brothers, Maxwell and Wayne, watched intently from a shadowed window, their expressions a mixture of concern and disapproval. Maxwell clenched his fists, his voice barely a whisper to avoid being overheard. "I think we should just leave Emma be for now. Let her see for herself what he’s really up to. It’s one thing to claim he’s not rushing things, but actions speak louder than words. If we weren't here keeping an eye, who knows what might happen?" Wayne, ever the voice of reason but equally protective, placed a restraining hand on Maxwell’s shoulder. "Calm down, Maxwell. Isn’t Emma happy right now? Isn’t her happiness what matters most? And you know Bauer isn’t a bad person. Remember, he went to the trouble of arranging that fireworks show and even got her that necklace that was all over the news today. When have you ever t