I felt the tears slide down my face before I even realized I was crying. The pain spread through me, sharp and hollow, until it was too much to breathe. I wanted to scream, to curse the world, to ask why it kept taking everything from me—but no words would come.
My mother leaned forward, pressing my hand to her cheek. “I’m sorry, my daughter. You’ve been through too much. The trauma, the stress—it was too much for your body.”
I swallowed hard, staring at the ceiling. “So… it’s gone?”
She nodded.
Something inside me cracked, but at the same time, I felt lighter—emptier, yes, but free in a strange, cruel way. The weight that had chained me to that house, to that man, to that lie, was gone. At least now, I wouldn’t have to raise another piece of Nathan.
I wiped my tears, voice trembling. “Maybe it’s better this way.”
My mother’s eyes widened. “Emerald—”
“No, Mom,” I said softly. “It hurts, but… I can’t cry for it anymore. I have nothing left to lose.” I met her eyes, steady now. “But I will make them pay. All of them.”
She brushed my hair from my face, her touch trembling. “I talked to your brother,” she said after a moment. “He’s waiting. He’ll help us.”
“Us?”
She smiled faintly through her tears. “Yes. I’m coming with you. I’m leaving your father.”
For a moment, I didn’t believe her. My mother—who had endured years of silence and humiliation—finally choosing herself.
“He’s been with that woman for years,” she continued quietly. “I told him I won’t live like that anymore. Let him have her. I’m done pretending.”
The words hit me harder than I expected. I felt the tears return, but this time, they were warm—not from pain, but relief. “Thank you, Mom,” I whispered, clutching her hand. “For finally choosing yourself.”
She smiled sadly. “No, Emerald. For once, I’m choosing you.”
For a while, we sat in silence, just holding hands. The hum of the machines and the faint rhythm of my heartbeat were the only sounds in the room.
But peace never lasted long in our family.
The door opened, and my father stepped in—his suit perfect, his expression sharp. “You’re awake,” he said curtly.
“Honey,” my mother said, standing up quickly.
He ignored her, his gaze fixed on me. “I want you to address the media tomorrow. You’ll deny any connection to your brother and also the affair between Amber and Nathan saying it is just a misunderstanding and you have a happy family. Do you understand?”