“All we’ve ever wanted was for you and Chelsea to be happy. I’m sorry we ended up making you feel the opposite. I apologize on your father’s behalf. I can assure you, he misses you…terribly.Sometimes, I even catch him staring at your old photographs. He visits your bedroom in the middle of the night, even sued those nasty reporters who dared to smear your reputation recently.”
Emily held her breath.
“Please forgive us. I don’t want us to be avoiding each other for the rest of our lives.” Her mother’s voice cracked at the end.
“Were…were you going to let me out if Chelsea hadn’t stopped by that weekend?”
These were the types of thoughts that haunted her for years. Would the week have extended into two, or maybe amonth, if her sister hadn’t popped up during her law school exam season?
“Emily…” Juliet sighed. “I was. From day one I planned on stealing the keys from your father. It was as if he knew what I was thinking, hiding it where I couldn’t find it and also working from home so he could monitor my every move. Security didn’t make the situation easy either. No matter hard I tried reasoning with them, they wouldn’t budge. It was like my words meant nothing, only your father’s did.
“When I’d had enough and started arguing with him about letting you out, that was when Chelsea showed up and overheard us. She didn’t need to hear another second before she ran to get you. I think at that point even he was tired and that’s why he let her have her way.”
Emily sat there, head reeling from this piece of information.
“I didn’t know that you weren’t eating the entire time. Your father had the dishes returning to the kitchen covered and when I checked they were always empty. I assumed…I shouldn’t have assumed. I’m sorry, dear. I know I haven’t been the best mother, but I should’ve seen the signs.”
To be honest, Emily had already gotten over the incident. With time, she tried to understand the rash decisions of her parents. That didn’t mean she still wasn’t hurt by what they’d done…but she’d accepted it. She was also to be blamed for thinking starving herself would make a difference.
“I’ve already forgiven you and Father,” she confessed quietly. “I can’t stay mad at you two forever. It wouldn’t be fair when I know, deep down, you guys had my best interest at heart.”
“Yes, Emily dear, we really did!” Her mother squeezed her hand even tighter.
She patted the back of her mother’s hand. “Family will always be family, Mother. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
There were many times Emily wished she could have been like others who could cut ties with their family completely, not just by physical distance, but in the mind and heart.
Sadly, she wasn’t.
Juliet stood up abruptly and pushed back the chair she was sitting on in the process.
Her arms engulfed her into the biggest hug ever.
At first, it felt awkward for Emily. Hugs were rare between them, but when the scent of Juliet’s perfume hit her nose and had the most calming effect, she nuzzled her mother’s neck.
She smells like home.
“Sorry to interrupt,” a small voice said causing them to peel themselves away from each other. They looked to see two girls holding notepads in their hands. “But can we get an autograph? We’re huge fans!”
Before Emily could answer, Cameron blocked their path.
She looked up at him stiffly. “They’re fans.”
He still didn’t budge.
“If you don’t move, I’ll move you, Cameron.”
His lips twitched. Cameron was twice her size. They both knew that was impossible. Regardless, he slid to the side, his eyes still surveying the girls.
“Sorry about that,” she apologized and gave them the autographs.
It didn’t take long before they squealed and disappeared.
She and her mother sat again. Cameron returned to the chair in the corner.
“I forgot to ask, why the bodyguard?”
“For security purposes.”
