Help me challenge Dad’s will.
“Emma, please. We can work something out.”
“Any financial questions go through the lawyers.”
“And the girls?”
“If you genuinely want a relationship with them, you’ll have to show consistent effort and respect appropriate boundaries. Money won’t buy their trust.”
He left without another word.
You’ve turned everyone against me!
***
That evening, Joan found me in the kitchen.
“Is Dad coming back?”
“No, sweetheart.”
“Was it because of the money?”
“I believe so.”
We can work something out.
Her eyes filled. “Why wasn’t I enough?”
I hugged her. “You were always enough. He failed you, not the other way around.”
“Then why did you lie?”
“I thought I was protecting you. I’m sorry. And I’m sorry I made you help raise your sisters.”
“I wanted to help.”
You were always enough.
“I know. But you deserve to be a kid.”
“Can I go back to dancing?”
