Chapter 22 - Emma Asks About the Wedding
Emma was nine when a classmate showed her an old article:
BILLIONAIRE GROOM FLEES WEDDING AFTER SECRET BABY CALL
She came home furious.
“Dad!”
Ethan knew.
“Why does internet say you left a lady because of me?”
Naomi closed eyes.
Time.
They explained.
Ethan was supposed to marry Vanessa.
He learned Emma existed during ceremony.
He left because he needed to meet daughter and understand.
Emma frowned.
“So I ruined wedding?”
“No.”
Immediate.
“Adults made choices before you were born.”
“You didn’t cause any of it.”
“Why didn’t you know me?”
“People hid truth.”
“Grandma?”
Ethan paused.
“Yes.”
Patricia had agreed they would not lie.
Emma stared.
“Grandma?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She was afraid and tried to control situation.”
Emma looked betrayed.
Then Patricia later answered herself when Emma asked.
No deflection.
“I made a very wrong choice.”
“Did you hate Mom?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“I thought I knew what was best.”
“That’s dumb.”
Patricia laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
Children often cut through.
Then Emma asked about Vanessa.
“Is she bad?”
“No.”
“She made wrong choice to stay silent.”
“Do you hate?”
“No.”
Simple.
Then Emma said:
“Can article be deleted?”
Ethan explained internet difficult.
But privacy lawyers could remove unauthorized baby info from some places.
They did.
No impossible erasure.
Then Emma asked:
“Did I really cry on phone?”
“Yes.”
“What did I say?”
“You were newborn.”
“No words.”
She laughed.
Good.
May you like
Story lost mythology.
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