Emergent Time and Singularity Regularization from Thermodynamic and Higher-Curvature Corrections

I propose a covariant, ghost-free extension of General Relativity that incorporates higher-order curvature invariants and thermodynamic backreaction to resolve gravitational singularities and explain the emergence of time. The framework is constructed within a semiclassical regime and maintains compatibility with Standard Model fields. Through a combination of analytic derivations and numerical simulations, we demonstrate that curvature invariants such as the Ricci and Kretschmann scalars remain finite in regions where classical theory predicts divergences. Furthermore, we show that time can emerge as a geometric phase parameter associated with nonlinear oscillations in the curvature field. The model yields testable predictions, including gravitational wave damping in high-curvature regimes, early black hole seed formation consistent with JWST observations, and low-multipole anomalies in the cosmic microwave background. These findings suggest that singularities and time asymmetry may arise from deeper symmetry-breaking mechanisms in the structure of spacetime.