Mother's True Love.

A Storm Brewing.

Linda stormed down the street, fury boiling inside her. Each step was fueled by a whirlwind of emotions—rage, betrayal, and confusion. The weight of Jules's death hung heavily on her heart, gnawing at her sanity. She felt a need to confront Emily, to unleash the storm brewing inside her, and nothing would stand in her way.

As she approached the apartment building, the familiar sight filled her with a mix of nostalgia and anger. This was Emily's space, her sanctuary, and she'd lost it. Linda had a desperate need to know where her daughter had gone, and she wasn't about to leave without answers.

Linda marched into the building lobby and found the owner at the front desk. "Where is she? Where's Emily?" she demanded, her voice harsh and cutting through the silence.

The building owner looked up, surprised by Linda's sudden appearance. "Uh, I'm not sure what you mean, ma'am. Emily moved out a few days ago. I didn't catch where she was going."

Linda felt a pulse of rage surge through her. "What do you mean you don't know? You're supposed to know everything that happens here! This is her home!"

"I'm really sorry. I don't have any details. It's not my business to keep track of residents once they move out," the owner replied, attempting to remain calm in the face of Linda's fury.

"No! You don't get to just stand there while my daughter disappears!" Linda's voice rose, echoing off the walls. "You need to tell me where she is!"

Before the owner could respond, Linda's frustration boiled over. She grabbed a nearby potted plant and hurled it across the lobby, sending dirt and leaves flying everywhere. "You need to help me!" she shouted, her voice trembling with anger and desperation.

The owner, startled and frightened, reached for the phone. "I'm calling the police," she said firmly, trying to de-escalate the situation.

Linda's heart raced as she realized what was happening. The police arrived shortly after, sirens blaring, their lights flashing against the late afternoon sky. Linda felt a mixture of panic and defiance as she was led outside, still fighting against the officers trying to calm her down.

"Ma'am, we need you to come with us," one officer said, his tone steady but firm.

Linda's mind raced as they took her to the police station. Once inside, she was separated from the world, and the adrenaline began to fade, leaving her feeling hollow and lost. She was questioned about Jules's death, her mental state, and, most importantly, about Emily.

"My daughter came back to town," Linda revealed, her voice cracking. "She thinks I'm a monster. I just want to see her! I need to find her! She's the only thing I have left!"

The officers exchanged glances, taking note of Linda's emotional state. One officer, who had been listening intently, nodded. "We understand this is difficult. We'll do everything we can to locate Emily. We just need to know where to start."

Linda felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. "She was living here, in this apartment building. I just need to talk to her! I can explain everything!"

As the officers took her statements, one of them, Officer Jake, quietly made a call to a familiar number. It was Bob. "Hey, it's Jake. We have Linda here at the station. She's been acting erratically since Jules passed, and she's demanding to see Emily. You might want to warn her to be careful. The last thing we need is for this to escalate."

Bob's voice came through the phone, laced with concern. "What do you mean? What's going on?"

"Linda is all worked up about Emily. I just thought you should let her know that the police might be looking for her," Jake said. "This could get messy if Linda loses her cool again."

"Thanks, Jake. I'll let Emily know. She needs to stay under the radar until we figure this out," Bob replied, his mind racing as he hung up.

Meanwhile, Linda sat in the interrogation room, her mind a chaotic swirl of guilt and regret. She couldn't help but think about the fractures in her life—the distance between her and Emily, the loss of Jules, and the shattered family she had once held dear. The anger that had driven her to this point was starting to fade, replaced by an overwhelming sense of sadness.

---

Back in her car, Bob dialed Emily's number. The ringing felt eternal until she finally picked up. "Hey, Dad," she said, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"Emily, listen carefully," Bob began, his tone urgent. "Linda was just at your old apartment, and she lost it. She's at the police station now, but they're going to want to find you."

"What?" Emily exclaimed, her heart racing. "Why? What happened?"

"They're concerned about her state of mind, and she mentioned you. I just want you to be careful. Don't let anyone know where you are, okay?"

Emily's hands trembled as she took in the information. "I thought I could get away from all of this."

"You need to lay low for a while, Em. I know it's not easy, but your safety comes first. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything else."

"Thanks, Dad," Emily whispered, the reality of the situation settling in. "I'll be careful."

---

As she ended the call, a mix of fear and determination surged within her. She glanced at Alex and Sarah, who had been waiting anxiously. "Linda's at the police station," she said, voice steadying. "We need to figure out our next move."

Alex nodded, concern etching his features. "We will. But we need to stay focused on Nathan first. That's our priority right now."

Emily took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead. The storm was far from over, and she had to face it head-on.