Chapter 9 - THE SISTER WHO CARRIED THE SECRET
Sophie stayed in Vermont for three days.
She met Lily.
The little girl immediately liked her.
Mostly because Sophie brought a stuffed unicorn.
“Aunt Sophie?” Lily asked.
Sophie froze.
Then smiled through tears.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Do unicorns eat pancakes?”
Sophie laughed.
“I think they do.”
Lily nodded seriously.
“Good.”
Emma watched from the kitchen.
Her heart hurt.
She'd missed her sister.
Despite everything.
Despite the anger.
Despite the years.
That evening, Sophie sat beside Emma on the porch.
The lake shimmered in the distance.
Sophie took a breath.
“I never meant to hurt you.”
Emma looked down.
“I know.”
Sophie swallowed.
“But I did.”
Emma nodded.
“Yes.”
Sophie began crying.
“I was scared of Adrian.”
Emma looked at her.
“Did he hurt you?”
Sophie nodded.
“Emotionally. Financially. He threatened me.”
Emma's expression softened.
“I'm sorry.”
Sophie wiped her face.
“I should have told you.”
Emma nodded.
“Yes.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Emma whispered:
“I thought you wanted Daniel.”
Sophie looked horrified.
“Emma.”
Her voice broke.
“Never.”
Emma closed her eyes.
Sophie continued.
“He was always yours.”
Emma shook her head.
“People don't belong to each other.”
Sophie nodded.
“You're right.”
They sat quietly.
Then Sophie reached for Emma's hand.
This time, Emma let her.
Over the following months, the sisters slowly rebuilt their relationship.
Not by pretending nothing had happened.
But by acknowledging the damage.
Apologizing.
May you like
Listening.
And learning to trust each other again.
