Chapter 13 - Emily Stops Blaming Herself For Hannah
Emily had carried one private guilt since Hannah disappeared.
Their final argument.
Hannah tried to tell Emily something was wrong at Northstar.
Emily thought she was being paranoid.
She was exhausted from years of rescuing her younger sister from impulsive decisions.
She said:
“I can’t keep fixing every disaster you create.”
Hannah left.
Two weeks later she mailed the package.
Emily never opened it.
For eighteen months, Emily believed opening it sooner might have changed everything.
Hannah finally told her:
“It might have changed some things.”
Emily cried.
Hannah continued:
“But Charles did this. Hale helped hide it. Margaret hid me. Natalie changed records. I disappeared. You ignored a package. Those are not the same action.”
Emily had to accept responsibility without absorbing everyone else’s.
She should have opened the package.
She should have listened more carefully.
That did not make her responsible for Hannah’s pregnancy or disappearance.
The sisters rebuilt slowly.
Not with a dramatic embrace that erased years.
With phone calls.
Coffee.
Arguments.
Apologies.
Silence that no longer meant disappearance.
May you like
Lucas became one part of their relationship.
Not the entire reason for it.
