Chapter 82

The living room was covered in silence as the three of them sat, their minds filled with unspoken thoughts. Tom, Lisa, and Emily sat on the plush couch, their bodies tense with anticipation. Tom and Lisa were waiting for Emily to say what she wanted to say, while Emily was trying to gather her thoughts and herself while she brace herself for whatever reaction she gets. Then, finally, Emily broke the silence, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.

“Promise me,” Emily implored, her voice barely a whisper, fear of what her dad might say had taken over her. “Promise me that you won’t freak out when I tell you what I need to say.”

Tom and Lisa exchanged a brief glance before nodding together. They knew the trust she had placed in their hands and they knew that whatever it was, this was the type of relationship they wanted with Emily - To be able to open up to them when there was something wrong with her. Tom reached out and gently squeezed Emily’s hand, as