Chapter 26 - The House Julianne Never EnteredEmma began spending occasional evenings at Adrian's home.
Not because she wanted luxury.
Because they were learning each other.
Adrian showed her the room he had prepared for a baby in 2002.
It had later become a library.
“I couldn't keep it,” he admitted.
Emma noticed a wooden rabbit on a shelf.
“What is that?”
“I made it.”
“You?”
“I used to build things that weren't skyscrapers.”
She laughed.
Adrian handed it to her.
“I made it for you before you were born.”
Emma's smile disappeared.
“You thought I died.”
“Yes.”
She held the rabbit carefully.
Adrian looked at her.
“I don't want you to feel obligated to become part of this family.”
Emma sat down.
“What family?”
Adrian almost laughed.
“Fair point.”
She looked around.
“My whole life I wondered whether my parents wanted me.”
“Your mother did.”
“I know now.”
“And I did too.”
Emma met his eyes.
“You didn't know me.”
“I wanted the child you were going to become.”
She swallowed.
That answer mattered.
More than she expected.
Emma placed the wooden rabbit beside the emerald ring.
Two objects from a life that had been stolen.
One had traveled through lies.
The other had waited quietly on a shelf.
May you like
For the first time, Emma allowed herself to think of Adrian not as Adrian Mercer.
But as the father she might still have time to know.
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