...Emile pov…

I felt a sense of guilt wash over me as I thought about Dickinson. I knew I should have been there to meet him, but I couldn't bear the thought of him seeing me in such a state.

"I know," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't want him to see me like this."

Erick looked at me with a surprised expression. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't you want him to see you? He's been worried sick about you," He said.

I hesitated for a moment before continuing. "It's complicated. I just didn't want him to see me in such a vulnerable state," I...