Emma

Forever is the sweetest con.

One of the very first life lessons I learned when I got into this life was that there was nothing sadder than a con artist conning themselves.

Because, well, the heart could play tricks too—and oh boy, they were brutal.

After all, to believe in love, to lean into forever—that was the cruelest magic of all, wasn't it? And many of us, at one time or another, let ourselves fall under its spell, thinking we could somehow outrun the truth. As if a lie, repeated often enough, could reshape reality.

But even I knew this—you couldn't con your way into a life that wasn't yours to keep.

Yet here I was, against all reason, clinging to it with everything I had. And for the first time, I was ready to fall to my knees and plead that destiny wouldn't strip it from me—that maybe, somehow, I could be the exception to the rule.

Maybe it could work.

Maybe we could work.

Jake and I had been dating for a few weeks now. And despite our tight schedules, we still found time for quiet dinners, shared lunches, and nights where it felt like nothing else in the world mattered. And life just felt... perfect.

Yet, every night before I closed my eyes, a small voice nagged at the edges of my mind, asking me how I'd let it get to this point. How had I let myself get swept away in this beautiful, impossible mess?

For as magical as everything felt, there was a part of me that knew this was madness. But I kept ignoring it, conning myself into believing I could have it all—the life, the job, and maybe even the man who made me feel whole.

And every time I was with Jake, I just found myself forgetting all the reasons this shouldn't be happening. The weight of my past, the lies, the secrets—they all seemed to lift, like every broken piece of my heart was slowly mending under his touch.

Besides, I kept thinking that Vitale was under lock and key; the painting had been returned, and maybe—just maybe—the case would soon be filed away, forgotten in some drawer.

Yet, deep down, I couldn't fool myself, not entirely. Jake had told me, over and over, that he wouldn't rest until the thieves were behind bars, too. And if there was one thing I'd learned about him, it was how determined he was. I knew he wouldn't stop.

I sighed, wishing that those tangled thoughts would slip to the back of my mind, just for a little while. Today had been a whirlwind, starting with arranging workshops, tours, and then a string of meetings with curators and exhibition coordinators. And now, as the workday was finally winding down, I wandered the museum, taking the time to engage with visitors.

That's when I noticed a couple lingering in front of René Magritte's The Lovers. Something about their curious expressions drew me in.

As I walked closer to them, a few Italian words reached my ears. They were admiring the painting, but they were also pondering the true meaning behind it.

I stepped forward, offering a small smile. "Posso aiutarla?" I asked, letting them know I spoke Italian and would be happy to help.

The couple turned to me, their faces lighting up.

"Grazie mille," the woman thanked me with a smile. "We were just wondering... if they're in love, why would they cover their faces like that?"

I nodded, glancing at The Lovers, and took a moment to gather my thoughts. "Well, Magritte often played with the theme of frustrated desires," I explained. "Here, the lovers lean in close, wanting connection. But the cloth—a veil, really—keeps them from the touch they crave. It's as if something remains hidden between them, a barrier neither can quite reach past."

The man leaned in, clearly intrigued. "And the veil... it's like an illusion, right? Like a love that feels close, but you can never fully have?"

The question sent my mind reeling. For a second, I couldn't respond, caught by the way his words echoed my own hidden fears.

I took a quiet breath, gathering my thoughts before I gestured toward the painting. "Exactly. The cloth is like the weight of all that goes unspoken, the secrets or even fears that hold people apart. It's Magritte's way of transforming intimacy into isolation, as if love itself is within arm's reach but... ultimately out of grasp."

The couple exchanged glances, looking back at the painting with a clearly newfound appreciation. The woman squeezed her partner's hand, as if to reassure herself of the touch the lovers were denied.

"Bellissimo," she finally said, admiring the beauty of the painting.

They then thanked me again before moving on to the next piece, but my gaze stayed fixed on The Lovers. The cloth felt all too familiar, like the hidden truths between me and Jake—a veil that, no matter how close we leaned, still kept us apart.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of that silent barrier, wondering if it would ever lift... or if one day, it might press down so heavily that it would suffocate the life out of me.

"Beautiful painting. Any idea what it'd go for on the black market?"

Wide-eyed, I turned to find Eric standing behind me, his expression smug. Alycia was stifling a laugh next to him.

Since she'd moved back to New York, Eric and Alycia had been practically inseparable, their long-hidden feelings finally coming to the surface. It made me genuinely happy to see them finding each other after all these years of dancing around it. And, honestly, their newfound closeness was also saving me from a lot of uncomfortable questions.

After all, what could I possibly tell them about Jake? Hey, remember how I was supposed to end things? Surprise—now we're dating.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked.

Eric's smirk faded, his brows lifting. "You don't exactly look thrilled to see us."

Under normal circumstances, I definitely would've been happy to see them. But today was different. It was a Friday, and Jake was supposed to pick me up after work so we could spend the evening together. Talk about bad timing.

I tried to keep my voice steady, but my heart pounded at the thought of Jake arriving any minute. "Of course, I'm thrilled. I missed you both—it's just... unexpected."

Eric shot me a look that said he was far from convinced. So, I turned to Alycia, eager to change the subject, and asked her how she was settling back in.

"Oh, I love it. It's wonderful to be back," she replied with a grin. "We thought the three of us could go out for dinner tonight. We have so much to catch up on."

Her face was practically glowing, and I knew instantly what she was trying to tell me. They had finally taken the plunge.

A smile spread across my face, too, until I remembered my plans with Jake tonight.

"That would be great, but..." I hesitated, fumbling for an excuse.

Eric's eyes narrowed, suspicion clear in his gaze. "But what?"

Before I could answer, a familiar voice called my name, and my heart skipped a beat. I knew that voice all too well. Jake was here.

Every fiber of my being wanted to bolt, but I forced myself to stay still as Jake approached, a warm smile on his face.

Without a moment's hesitation, he placed a gentle hand on my back and brushed a quick kiss on my cheek. "There you are," he said, his eyes lighting up as he looked at me.

My mind scrambled for words, any words. But I was saved from having to reply when Jake's gaze landed on Alycia, and his expression brightened in recognition.

"Oh hey, we've met before," he said, reaching out to shake her hand.

Obviously, Eric and Alycia were both stunned. But Aly, to her credit, recovered quickly and greeted him with a warm smile, all traces of shock now hidden.

At any other time, I would've been proud of her. I'd taught her well, and it seemed she'd surpassed her teacher—handling this whole situation far better than I was.

Then my heart sank when Jake turned to Eric, extending his hand with a polite smile, clearly unsure of who he was.

My mind scrambled to think up a lie, but before I could, Eric stepped forward.

"Eric," he said, shaking Jake's hand. "Emma's older brother."

My mouth fell open, and I shot Eric a look of utter disbelief, unsure of what he was doing.

"Oh, it's so nice to finally meet you," Jake replied happily.

"Likewise," Eric replied smoothly, giving me a sidelong glare I prayed only I noticed. "Emma has told me a lot about you."

Jake chuckled, pulling me a little closer. "I just hope it's all good things."

Eric's smile was tight. "Definitely."

"We're heading to dinner tonight," Jake continued. "Why don't you two join us? It'd be a nice chance to get to know each other."

Eric didn't miss a beat. "That would've been nice, but we actually have plans already," he replied, his gaze locking with mine. "We just wanted to stop by and say hi to Emma."

I tried to keep my expression neutral as Eric shook Jake's hand one more time. "You two have a nice evening," he said, before steering Alycia away. Just before he disappeared around the corner, he shot me a look that could melt glass.

"They seem really great," Jake said as we watched them leave. "I'd love to get to know them more sometime."

I managed a steady voice. "I'm sure they'd like that too. Maybe another time."

With that, we left the museum, heading toward a new spot we'd both agreed to try near Columbus Circle. It was a short drive, but the glow of the city lights and the warmth of the evening settled my nerves, letting me ease into the moment again. I would just have to deal with Eric later.

And as I glanced over at Jake, I couldn't help but genuinely smile, knowing tonight might be another one of those rare, perfect evenings.

And it was. The restaurant exceeded our expectations—delicious food, intimate atmosphere—and the conversation flowed effortlessly. With Jake, it always felt like that—easy, natural, like we were meant to enjoy every moment together.

After dinner, we let the night carry us into Central Park. We wandered the familiar paths hand in hand until eventually, we found ourselves at a bench overlooking the Bow Bridge.

My eyes were fixed on the water, watching the way it shimmered under the soft glow of the city lights.

The night was a beautiful, warm summer one, the kind of evening where the city felt alive but not overwhelming, and the heat of the day had settled into a soft, comfortable warmth.

I felt a calm wash over me, a rare moment of peace where all the noise in my mind seemed to fade, and everything felt still, but in the best way possible.

When I finally pulled my gaze from the water, I turned to Jake, only to find that he was already looking at me.

His lips were curved into a relaxed smile, and his eyes were soft in a way that made my heart do a little tap dance.

I could feel my cheeks heating up under his gaze, and I tried to deflect with a lighthearted remark.

"What?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. "Don't tell me I have something in my teeth."

Jake let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "No," he replied. "I was just wondering how I got so lucky."

Oh well, that little tap dance just turned into a full-blown samba. I wasn't sure whether to laugh it off or sink deeper into the sweetness of the moment. But something about the way Jake was looking at me—so genuine, so open—made me want to hold onto it, to savor every second.

His hand squeezed mine gently, as if grounding us both in the moment, and I felt the quiet warmth between us settle deeper.

I then watched as he shifted beside me, his expression still soft but with a hint of nervousness that made me curious.

"I have something for you," he said, reaching into his suit pocket. When he pulled out a small velvet box, I could feel my breath catch.

He opened it slowly, revealing a delicate North Star pendant. It was beautiful—simple but elegant, with a small diamond in the center that sparkled softly in the evening light.

Jake's green eyes flickered back to mine, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "We met six months ago, in that coffee shop... and ever since then, you've made everything better just by being in my life, Emma. No matter how crazy things get, you always find a way to make it feel right."

He paused, his smile growing a little softer, a little more vulnerable. "I saw this and thought of you. Maybe it's just a little reminder that some things... they always find their way."

It felt like someone was squeezing my heart, making it hard to breathe. He had no idea. No idea about the first time we really met—on top of the Met the night of the heist, when he almost caught me.

He had no idea that I'd been living a double life all this time, playing a game with his heart. If he knew, what would he think of me? That I was some kind of cold-hearted witch, manipulating his feelings without a second thought?

But another thing Jake didn't know—what I could barely admit to myself—was that he had been playing with my heart too, without even realizing it. He made me feel alive again. Like I was living in this beautiful dream, one I was terrified of waking up from.

Before I could stop myself, a single tear rolled down my cheek. I hadn't even realized I was crying. Jake's eyes widened in concern, and with a gentle touch, he wiped the tear away with his thumb.

"Hey, are you okay?" His voice was soft, filled with worry.

I swallowed hard and forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just... you took me by surprise." I glanced down at the necklace, feeling my heart twist again. "It's beautiful, Jake. Really beautiful.

He let out a breath, relief softening his features, and without saying a word, he unclasped the necklace and stepped behind me. Then, he gently placed it around my neck. His fingers brushed my skin as he secured the clasp, sending a soft shiver down my spine.

The star rested just above my heart, small but weighty, like it had settled into a space meant just for it.

"Thank you," I whispered, turning to face him. Our eyes met, and in that moment, the only words that felt right slipped out. "You don't know how much this means to me, Jake." And how much you mean to me.

Jake's smile deepened, his gaze locking onto mine, and in that moment, there was something in his eyes—something soft, steady, and quietly reassuring. It wasn't just warmth; it was a glow, like the kind of light that softens the edges of everything it touches. And right now, it was dissolving every wall I'd carefully built, leaving me feeling both exposed and safe at the same time.

Jake's hand moved up gently, his fingers brushing a strand of hair behind my ear before resting softly against my cheek. "You don't know what you've done to me, Emma. It's like with you, everything finally makes sense."

He then leaned in closer, ready to close the gap between us. But just as our lips were about to meet, his phone buzzed loudly, cutting through the moment like a sharp blade.

He groaned, his forehead resting briefly against mine. "This is the worst timing ever," he muttered, pulling back slightly. "I have to take this—it's probably work."

I tried to lighten the mood and hide the turmoil brewing inside me. "The world needs its super special agent sometimes." I nudged him gently. "Go keep those bad guys on their toes."

He chuckled, shaking his head as he looked down at his phone. "I'll be quick, I promise." And with one last glance in my direction, he answered the call, stepping away.

Perhaps at any other time, I would have tried to eavesdrop, tried to figure out if the call was about the case. But right now, I couldn't focus on anything other than keeping my heart in check. It felt like it was trying to break free, beating so hard I thought it might crack open my chest.

And the truth was, I didn't want to keep playing this game anymore. I didn't want to keep conning and manipulating him.

My better judgment told me I should walk away—if I really cared about him, I'd stop before I hurt him more than I already had. But that would mean breaking my own heart too in the process, shattering it into the tiny pieces Jake had somehow managed to put back together.

It was selfish; I knew. But I couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

Feeling restless, I stood and started to pace, hoping the movement would help me steady myself. But as I wandered a few steps away from the bench, a distant voice caught me off guard, pulling me out of my tangled thoughts.

I glanced around, trying to pinpoint the voice, and my eyes eventually landed on an elderly woman sitting beneath a tree. As I moved closer, I noticed a row of cards spread out on the ground in front of her. Tarot cards.

Ah, a fortune teller. Just another con artist.

I took a good look at her. Her white hair was wild, tangled in a way that seemed both effortless and deliberate. The smile she gave me was one I recognized all too well—crooked, unnatural, the kind you wore when you wanted something from the person standing in front of you. I'd used that smile myself more times than I cared to admit.

I watched as her grin widened, revealing a set of crooked teeth. "I was just saying I can help you with the war going on in your head, young lady."

The comment caught me off guard. How did she know? But then again, I wasn't exactly putting any effort into hiding the storm wreaking havoc inside me. I must've looked as uneasy as I felt.

Before I could have the chance to say anything, the woman's grin widened, a glint of mischief dancing in her gray eyes.

"Oh, I see it all over your face, my dear. The push and pull going on inside that pretty little head of yours. Let me guess, you're trying to decide whether to walk away from what you think you want... or cling to it for dear life."

Her words hit a little too close to home, and for a moment, my thoughts stuttered. I had to remind myself that this was just another con—empty words meant to shake me up, to draw me into her game.

"Want me to read your fortune?" she offered. "Won't take long."

I hesitated at first, but then curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to humor her. "Alright," I replied, trying to sound indifferent. "Why not?"

The woman grinned wider, her fingers moving quickly as she spread the cards in front of her with a practiced flick.

As soon as the first few were revealed, her eyes flicked up to meet mine. "You're living the dream, aren't you? A dream shared with someone special... yet, all the while, you're running from someone else. Yourself, perhaps?"

I blinked, the air suddenly feeling thicker around me.

"See, darling," she continued, her voice soft but pointed, "you can reinvent yourself, try running from your past, but you can never outrun yourself. The common denominator will always be you."

Her words struck a nerve, and I found myself momentarily speechless. But before I could react, she flipped another card, and I watched as her gray eyes darkened slightly.

Her voice grew quieter, more serious. "You need to be careful in the days ahead, love," she warned, her gaze piercing. "Whatever game you're playing, your opponent is not easy. And he's not backing down anytime soon."

Her words echoed in my head like a distant noise, but it was really the rush of blood in my ears, trying to keep pace with the wild rhythm of my heart. I couldn't seem to find my voice, to respond, to make sense of what she was saying.

Just then, Jake appeared at my side, his arm slipping around my waist. He looked at me, raising a curious eyebrow, and then his eyes fell on the tarot cards laid out in front of the woman.

"What's going on here?" he asked, his tone light but with a hint of wariness.

The woman's eyes turned toward him with a knowing smile. "Would you like a reading, young man? I could tell you what the stars have in store for you."

Jake chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I don't think so. Seems like a form of trickery to me. Even if it's real... what's the point of knowing something you're going to live through anyway?"

The woman's smile didn't falter. She studied Jake for a moment, as if she saw something deeper beneath his words.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her voice softened. "Ah, but into every life, a little hassle must fall, my sweet boy. You might not seek it, but some truths come whether you want them or not."

Jake's expression shifted, his easygoing smile tightening just for a second. But he shook it off quickly with a shrug, playing it cool. "Yeah, well, I guess that's life, isn't it?"

I could feel the air tighten around us, my breath catching in my throat. My hands fumbled for my purse, and I pulled out some cash, handing it to her without a word. My voice seemed lost somewhere in the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my head.

"Let's go," I whispered to Jake, tugging at his arm.

As we started to walk away, the woman called after us. "Just be careful, young lady. Beautiful spirits like yours would wither and die if held captive in a cage."

A chill ran through me, but I kept walking, my legs moving on autopilot. Jake glanced at me, concern flickering in his eyes. "What was all that about?"

I forced a smile, hoping it didn't look as brittle as it felt. "Nothing, really. I just felt bad for her and stopped for a chat. But... she might be a little delusional."

Jake didn't look entirely convinced, but he nodded, squeezing my hand. "You alright?"

I nodded quickly. "Yeah, just a long day."

Jake leaned in, his eyes searching mine with that familiar warmth. "You look like you could use a break," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "How about we spend the night together? Just us. Forget everything else."

I forced a smile, the weight of the evening pressing on me. "Well, lucky for you, I'm terrible at saying no to you."

Jake smiled and kissed me gently, and though my lips responded, a hollow ache still lingered in my chest.

And as we continued to walk toward the car, the fortune-teller's voice echoed in my mind, "Beautiful spirits like yours would wither and die if held captive in a cage."

I exhaled slowly, my grip tightening on Jake's hand. I wasn't sure which cage I feared more—the one built from my own lies or the one waiting if those lies ever caught up with me.

One way or another, cages have a way of closing in, whether made of guilt or iron bars...