But peace never lasted long in our family.
The door opened, and my father stepped in—his suit perfect, his expression sharp. “You’re awake,” he said curtly.
“Honey,” my mother said, standing up quickly.
He ignored her, his gaze fixed on me. “I want you to address the media tomorrow. You’ll deny any connection to your brother and also the affair between Amber and Nathan saying it is just a misunderstanding and you have a happy family. Do you understand?”
I hesitated. “Dad, I—”
“You will do it,” he said firmly. “Our name is already being dragged through every headline. Fix this mess, Emerald. Tomorrow morning. And while you’re at it—apologize to your stepsister and to your husband. Publicly.”
I clenched my fists under the blanket but nodded. “Alright,” I said quietly. I didn’t want to argue anymore.
Satisfied, he straightened his coat. “Good. Nathan and Amber will come by later. You’ll apologize in person before the press conference.”
When he left, my mother exhaled shakily. “Don’t let him see you break,” she murmured. “We’ll be gone soon.”
And so I waited.
When Nathan and Amber arrived, their faces wore the same masks I’d seen for years—smooth, practiced, false.