EMERSONS PLAN WAS TO STAY IN HER ROOM FOR THE REST OF THE DAY—week if possible. But Ella Vale-Brooks was determined to ruin her every plan. It was noon, and Ella should have been at work, along with William. But neither had left the house, so Emerson didn't plan on leaving her room.

That was until Ella pushed open her door—causing Emerson to shoot up from her bed in surprise. "What the hell!" Emerson shouted, bolting upright in bed. Her phone slipped from her hands, landing on her pillow. "Do you ever knock, or do you just barge in wherever you want?"

      Ella stood in the doorway, perfectly composed, with her arms crossed and a familiar determined look on her face. She had changed into one of her tailored blazers, and the sharpness of her appearance only made Emerson's hoodie and leggings feel more crumpled by comparison.

      "If I knocked, you'd just ignore me, and we don't have time for that," Ella said coolly, stepping into the room.

      "Time for what?" Emerson asked, narrowing her eyes. "More lectures about how worried you were, and how irresponsible I had been? Because I've already got that memo loud and clear."

Ella sighed, ignoring the jab. "No, we're going shopping."

"Shopping?" Emerson repeated, as if Ella had suggested something unthinkable. "For what?"

"For school clothes," Ella said. "You start next week, and you don't have anything decent to wear. You're not walking into that building looking like you just rolled out of bed."

"I'm fine with what I've got," Emerson shot back, crossing her arms. "And why do you even care? This isn't about me. You just don't want me embarrassing you and William."

Ella's jaw tightened, but she didn't rise to the bait. "This isn't about me or William. It's about you, Emerson."

"Yeah, sure it is," Emerson muttered. "You don't care what I wear. You just want to control me like—" She cut herself off, her father's shadow still looming too close in her mind.

Ella's expression softened, her voice losing its sharp edge. "Emerson, this isn't about control. I know things were different before. But I took you out of that house for a reason. You're safe now, and I want you to feel good about yourself. That starts with making sure you have what you need, including clothes that fit and make you comfortable."

Emerson snorted, turning her gaze to the floor. "I don't need a makeover to be comfortable."

"No, but you need clothes that fit and don't look like they came from the bottom of a lost-and-found bin," Ella replied. Her tone remained steady, but her patience was thinning. "Look, I know you don't believe me right now, but this is for you. You deserve better."

Emerson rolled her eyes. "If you're trying to buy me off, it's not going to work."

Ella's lips pressed into a thin line. She took a deep breath before saying, "William's waiting downstairs with Lucas. We're all going, so you don't have much choice."

"Of course he is," Emerson muttered, pushing herself off the bed and grabbing her sneakers. "You know, you and your perfect little family don't need to pretend like I fit in. I'm fine staying out of your way."

Ella's expression flickered, but she didn't let the comment land. "You're part of this family whether you like it or not, Emerson. Now, get moving. If we leave now, we'll still have time to grab lunch afterward."

Emerson dragged her feet toward the door, grumbling under her breath. "This better not take all day. And don't expect me to wear anything pink or frilly."

Ella smirked slightly, her victory tempered by the knowledge that this was just one battle in a much bigger war. "Noted. Now let's go."

      The drive to Port Angeles was quiet, save for the sound of tires on the wet pavement and the occasional mutter of conversation between Ella and William in the front seat. Emerson sat in the back, pressed against the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Next to her, Lucas scrolled on his phone, his occasional snicker at a meme the only other sound breaking the silence.

      William glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "You doing okay back there, Emerson?"

      "Fine," she replied shortly, her gaze fixed on the rain-speckled window.

      Lucas, always one to fill the silence, piped up. "You're going to love Port Angeles, Em. It's got some cool shops. Maybe you'll finally find something that isn't ripped jeans and hoodies."

      "Don't call me, Em," Emerson snapped, pinning the boy with a glare.

      "Lucas," Ella warned from the passenger seat, her tone firm but tired.

      "What? I'm just saying," Lucas mumbled, going back to his phone.

      Ella turned slightly in her seat, her gaze softening as she looked at Emerson. "I know this isn't how you wanted to spend your day, but this is important. You need clothes for school, and I want to make sure you have what you need."

      "I'm fine with what I've got," Emerson muttered, not looking at her.

      Ella sighed but didn't push further. Instead, she turned back to face the front, and the rest of the ride passed in strained silence. When they finally pulled into Port Angeles, Emerson was itching to get out of the car. The ride was too long, but she knew the road like the back of her hand. Her and Kim drove up here so many times when Kim got her license.

Inside the first store, Ella led the charge, immediately scanning racks of clothes while William and Lucas hung back. Emerson trailed behind, her hands shoved deep into the pockets of her hoodie, her eyes darting around the store.

"What about this?" Ella asked, holding up a simple knit sweater.

"No," Emerson said flatly, not even glancing at it.

Ella exhaled quietly but didn't give up. She put the sweater back and moved on, holding up a pair of jeans next. "These look like a good fit—no rips, but not too dressy."

Emerson shrugged. "Whatever."

Lucas snorted from where he leaned against a nearby display. "She's really making this fun, huh?"

"Lucas," William said with a warning look, but Lucas just rolled his eyes and wandered off toward the men's section.

By the time they reached the checkout counter, Ella had managed to gather a modest pile of clothes. Emerson stood stiffly beside her, the knot in her stomach tightening as the cashier rang everything up.

When the total flashed on the screen, Emerson's heart dropped. Without thinking, she stepped forward. "Wait," she said, her voice rising slightly. "That's. . .too much. I can't afford all this."

Ella turned to her, confused. "What do you mean? You're not paying for this."

"I don't want you to pay for it either," Emerson said quickly, her voice shaking. "Just. . .put some of it back."

William, who had been standing a few steps away, came closer, his expression calm but firm. "Emerson, you don't have to worry about the cost. This is something we want to do for you."

"I don't want you to do anything for me," Emerson snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. "I didn't ask for this."

Ella's expression softened, though her grip on the counter tightened. "You didn't have to ask. You need clothes, and it's our responsibility to make sure you have them. You don't have to pay for anything here. You're with us now, Emerson. We'll take care of you."

Emerson's jaw clenched, and for a moment, she couldn't respond. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, and she avoided their eyes, staring at the bags instead. "I don't want to owe you," she muttered finally.

"You don't owe us anything," William said gently. "This is just...what families do. It's not about owing anyone. It's about making sure you're okay."

Emerson felt a hot flush creep up her neck, but she didn't say anything more. Ella stepped forward, handing over her card to the cashier without hesitation. The transaction went through, and they walked out of the store in silence.

As they reached the car, Lucas tossed his bag into the trunk with a dramatic sigh. "That was exhausting. I need fries or something to recover."

William chuckled, starting the car. "We'll make an early dinner."

Emerson sat stiffly in the backseat, clutching one of the bags tightly in her lap. She didn't say anything, but her thoughts were swirling. The weight of their words—you don't owe us anything—felt heavy and unfamiliar. Everything her father bought for her came with strings, Emerson would need to repay him some away or another.

Ella turned in her seat as William pulled out of the parking lot. "You did fine today, Emerson. Thank you for giving this a chance."

Emerson didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the window. After a long pause, she muttered, "Thanks. . .for the clothes."

Ella smiled softly, though she didn't press further. "You're welcome."

The car ride home was quieter, but the tension had eased slightly, leaving Emerson with a mix of discomfort and something that felt almost like relief. It made her stomach twist in discomfort. Ella sat in the passenger seat, stealing glances at Emerson whenever she could, while William hummed along to Lucas's playlist, tapping his fingers on the wheel.

      When they pulled into the driveway, Emerson was the first on out of the car, clutching her bags in her arms tightly. As if someone was going to snatch them away, as if it had been an entire joke Ella had been playing on her. She didn't wait for anyone else as she headed into the house, her sneakers squeaking against the hardwood floors as she made her way up the stairs.

      "Emerson," Ella called up to her, "dinner is in an hour. Don't disappear."

      Emerson didn't respond, but she stopped short of the room Ella had claimed as her own. Lingering outside for just a moment longer, before stepping inside and shutting the door firmly behind her. She found her place on the bed once more, her backpack sitting next to her, still full with her clothing. She had just been pulling them out as she needed them, but Ella was right she did need more clothing.

      Emerson glanced up at the ceiling, swallowing harshly before grabbing her backpack and dumping the contents out on the floor. She moved to sit on the hardwood as well, crossing her legs as she dumped out the three shopping bags of clothing she had gotten that day. Slowly, she folded each piece of clothing into piles. It wasn't enough to make it seem like she had settled in, but it was better than nothing.

An hour later, she dragged herself down to the dining room, her expression carefully blank. The table was already set, and the smell of roasted chicken and vegetables filled the air. Lucas was sitting in his usual spot, scrolling through his phone, while William poured water into their glasses. Ella was finishing up in the kitchen, carrying over a serving dish.

"Glad you could make it," William said, glancing up at Emerson as she slid into a chair.

Emerson shrugged, keeping her gaze on the table. "Didn't know it was optional."

Lucas smirked, but Ella shot him a look before sitting down. "We're glad you're here," she said pointedly, placing a napkin on her lap.

"So, Emerson," Ella began, her voice softer as it cut through the silence, "I was looking at some extracurriculars at the school today. There's a creative writing club I thought you might like. Or maybe art?"

Emerson's fork froze mid-air. She didn't look up. "I'm not interested," she muttered flatly.

Ella's hopeful smile faltered, but she didn't give up. "That's okay. We can figure it out later. I just want to make sure you have options. School's going to be a big adjustment, and I thought it might help you feel more connected—"

"I'm not interested," Emerson cut her off, her voice colder than ice.

Ella bit her lip, clearly trying to stay patient. "Well, when you're ready, we can talk about it. I just want you to know that we're here for you, okay?"

"Stop! Stop acting like you care!" Emerson shouted, suddenly pushing her plate away, the sound of it scraping against the table loud in the heavy silence. The outburst hit like a slap. "If you cared, you wouldn't have left me with him!"

Ella's eyes widened, her face pale with the shock of the accusation. "Emerson, I didn't—"

"Yes, you did!" Emerson's voice cracked with fury, her hands clenched into fists on the table. "You knew exactly what he was like, and you still left me! You left me to deal with him alone while you ran off to start your new perfect life with them!" She flung her arm toward William and Lucas, who sat frozen, unsure how to react.

Ella's breath hitched, a lump forming in her throat. She stood up slightly, her hand shaking as she set her fork down. "I didn't leave because of them, Emerson. I left because it wasn't safe. I had to get out of there. For you—"

"You left me behind!" Emerson yelled, her face contorted with grief and rage. "I was just a kid! You left me with him!"

Ella's face crumpled as the words hit her. "You don't know what I went through. I was scared, and I thought I was doing what was best. I didn't want to leave you, but—"

"You didn't want to leave him," Emerson spat, shaking her head violently, her body trembling. "You left me behind with him! Do you even care what that did to me? To Davin?"

Ella froze, the name like a weight in the air. The pain of it hit her hard—Davin, the one she'd left behind when she walked away from her old life. She had told herself it was for the best, that she had no other choice, but Emerson's words cut through all her excuses. He looked so disgusted when he had seen her days ago, when she had picked up Emerson.

"Davin..." Ella whispered, her voice cracking. She wanted to apologize, but the words felt hollow in her mouth. "I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I could protect you both, but I—I had to leave for me. I couldn't live like that anymore. I couldn't be there, and I thought maybe it would be easier if I just...left."

"Easier for you?" Emerson's voice broke with emotion. "You left Davin too! You left him behind just like you left me! You think I don't know what that feels like? You abandoned us both!"

"Hey," William interjected, his tone firm as he leaned forward, his protective instincts kicking in. "That's enough. Your mom did everything she could to—"

"Don't," Emerson hissed, turning her glare on him. "Don't act like you know anything about what she did or didn't do. You weren't there!"

Lucas, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. "Emerson, you're being unfair. She didn't have a choice—"

"She had a choice," Emerson interrupted, her voice shaking. "And she chose to leave me behind."

Ella felt the weight of those words settle on her chest, each one suffocating her. She had always justified her decision, always told herself she had no choice, but now, in the face of her daughter's fury, she could no longer pretend. "I thought I was protecting you from him," Ella said softly, her tears threatening to fall. "But I was wrong. I know that now."

"Well, you were wrong!" Emerson yelled, tears streaming down her face now. "You left me with a monster, and you don't get to sit here and pretend like you're some hero now. You don't get to fix this!"

Ella reached out, her voice breaking. "Please, Emerson. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for leaving you and Davin. I was just trying to get away...but I wasn't thinking about what it would do to you. To Davin."

"No, you weren't thinking!" Emerson shouted, her face contorted with grief and rage. "You didn't care about anyone but yourself. I don't want your apologies. I don't want anything from you."

"That's enough," William said, his voice cutting through the tension. "We're supposed to be having dinner, not tearing each other apart."

Emerson stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. "I'm not hungry anymore," she muttered, storming out of the room before anyone could stop her.

With that, Emerson stood up from the table, her chair screeching loudly against the floor as she stormed out of the room. The heavy sound of her footsteps echoed in the silence as she disappeared upstairs, slamming her door with a force that rattled the walls.

Downstairs, the room fell into an unbearable silence. Ella stood frozen, her hands trembling at her sides. William's gaze was distant, his jaw tight, as he stared at the empty spot where Emerson had just been sitting. Lucas, who had remained quiet through most of the exchange, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, looking at his parents.

"She's angry," William said quietly, his voice hoarse. "She's just...hurt. She's been through a lot, and we just have to understand it will take time to get to her."

Ella sank into her chair, her face pale, her eyes full of unspoken pain. "She's right," she whispered, more to herself than anyone. "I failed her. I failed Davin. I left them both behind, and I don't know how to make that better."

William reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand. "You didn't fail them, Ella. You got her out of there and Davin chose to stay. You had to save yourself first. It was a hard decision, but you did what you had to do."

"I should have fought harder," Ella replied, her voice barely audible. "I should have never left. I should have found a way to get us all out."

Lucas, unable to sit in silence any longer, spoke up, though his words lacked the usual certainty he'd once had. "She's just...she's mad. She'll come around. She has to."

But Ella didn't look reassured. She just stared at the empty plate in front of her, her heart breaking for the daughter she couldn't reach, the son she had abandoned, and the family she could never put back together. Upstairs, Emerson was curled up on her bed, hot tears soaking her pillow as anger and heartbreak battled within her. She wanted to push it all away, but the pain kept coming back—uncontrollable, like a wave she couldn't outrun.

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KENNEDY SPEAKS :

okay......anyways. em loves a good dramatic
storm off, let's be honest here. and i do to, hence
why they keep happening. it seems like every time
ella and the brooks break ground, emerson covers
it all up again. but don't worry she will get through
them soon! eddie should be in the next chap so see
you then! xx

also proof read this at 3am so oopies!