Chapter 9 - THE SON WHO REFUSED TO HATE HIS SISTER
Lucas learned about Emily before Sophia was ready.
He overheard another argument.
Then asked Vincent directly.
“Can I meet my sister?”
Vincent hesitated.
“That's something the adults need to discuss.”
Lucas frowned.
“Why?”
“Because it's complicated.”
Lucas crossed his arms.
“She's my sister. That doesn't sound complicated.”
Vincent almost smiled.
Eventually, Dr. Hale helped arrange a carefully planned meeting.
Emily was nervous.
Lucas was excited.
I was terrified.
They met at a children's science museum.
Emily wore a yellow sweater and carried a notebook.
Lucas arrived holding a small model airplane.
He looked at her.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
He smiled.
“I'm Lucas.”
“I know.”
He held out the airplane.
“I brought this.”
Emily examined it.
“Did you build it?”
“Mostly.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Mostly?”
“My dad helped with the wings.”
Emily smiled.
“Then we should test it.”
Within twenty minutes, they were arguing about aerodynamics.
Within forty minutes, they were laughing.
By lunchtime, Lucas had asked whether Emily wanted to come to his next birthday party.
She looked at me.
I smiled.
“We'll talk about it.”
Sophia watched from a distance.
Her expression was difficult to read.
Jealousy.
Regret.
Fear.
Perhaps all three.
When the children ran toward a hands-on exhibit, Sophia approached me.
“Claire.”
I looked at her.
“What?”
She swallowed.
“I owe you an apology.”
I remained silent.
She continued.
“I was afraid Vincent would leave me.”
I looked toward Emily.
“So you made sure he left us first.”
Sophia began crying.
“Yes.”
I felt no satisfaction.
Only exhaustion.
“You hurt two children,” I said.
She nodded.
“I know.”
“Emily grew up without her father.”
Sophia looked down.
“And Lucas grew up believing he was the only child who mattered.”
Her tears fell.
I took a breath.
“I won't teach Emily to hate you.”
Sophia looked up.
“But I won't pretend what you did was harmless.”
May you like
She nodded.
For the first time, Sophia seemed to understand that forgiveness wasn't something she could demand simply because she regretted the consequences.
