Chapter 8 - Emily’s ChoiceEmily received the surgery six weeks later.
Not because I paid for it.
Not because Daniel did.
The court temporarily restored enough Morgan Trust assets to fund the procedure.
That mattered to Emily.
“It was Dad’s promise,” she said.
“Yes.”
“I want it paid from the money he actually set aside.”
Not charity.
Restitution.
The operation lasted almost nine hours.
Victoria never left the waiting room.
Neither did Daniel.
Neither did I.
When the surgeon finally appeared, we all stood.
“It went well.”
Mom collapsed into my arms.
Emily spent twelve days recovering.
On the thirteenth, I brought her something.
A Bennett family photograph.
Dad.
Victoria.
Me.
Daniel.
Taken twenty years earlier.
I placed it beside her bed.
Emily stared.
“I don’t belong in that picture.”
“No.”
She looked surprised.
“Because you weren’t there.”
I handed her another photograph.
Taken the previous morning.
Victoria sitting beside Emily.
Daniel making a ridiculous face.
Me holding coffee.
Emily laughing despite the hospital gown.
“This one is ours.”
Emily began crying.
“Do I have to become a Bennett?”
“No.”
“Do I have to change my name?”
“No.”
“Do I have to forgive Dad?”
“No.”
“What do I have to do?”
I smiled.
“Recover.”
She nodded.
“That sounds manageable.”
Then:
“Sarah?”
“Yes?”
“Can I call you my sister?”
May you like
I almost lost it.
“You’d better.”
