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~~Flashback to the 1550s~~
⚠️T/W: This chapter involves bullying and hurtful words you may skip this chapter if you find these topics upsetting⚠️
People have always admired Alec, Emerald's elder brother. Despite the many flaws in our relationship, Emmie always looked up to him he was like her role model. She heard two older girls talking while Emmie played near the backyard on a sunny day.
"He's such an angel," a girl remarked about Alec. The other nodded in agreement. Alec's words were lovely Emmie was happy for him, but then they turned to her. "But Emmie? said one of the girls. She is just a time waste. Alec is worthy of more than having to look after her." Hearing that she had been seen as unworthy of Alec's attention hurts. She tried to hide the pain by holding her doll closer, not wanting them to see how weak she was. Emmie was playing in the yard when the girls came over to watch me. The two chuckled, saying, "Oh, look, she's right over there." They purposefully raised their voice so she could hear everything they said. "Emerald is never a Fowler," said the other girl. Why is she known as Emerald Fowler by others? She and Alec can never be related. It's just strange." By their tone Emmie didn't realize that her bullies were jealous of her beauty. Who wouldn't be?
Their judgment struck her, and their words hurt like Emmie got stung by a bee. Emerald listened to their increasingly loud voices, each word piercing her already thin self-esteem even more. "Yeah, I mean, look at Alec," mocked the first girl. He's beautiful and charming. She is not at all a part of that Fowler family."
"Totally," nodded the other. She is like an outsider. Alec probably wishes he had a sister who wasn't such a weirdo."
Emmie was hurt, but she said nothing, not wanting to face them. Instead, she held onto her doll for comfort. Em's dad's voice broke through those girls' talk, resonating throughout the yard. "Emerald, come inside now!" His voice was harsh, full of disappointment as well as frustration.
The girls' comments were still fresh in Em's memory, making her feel even more guilty. Em's dad was waiting for her when she walked in the door, his eyes narrowed. "How many times have I warned you, Emerald, to close the back door? The cat is gone now that you let it out!" She took up the courage to stand up for herself. "Dad, I never left the back door open. Alec probably did it. He never takes any care."
Alec shot back, stumbling around the room on crutches, "Me? You're the reason I'm using crutches, Emerald! Last week, you spilt some juice, and I stumbled. I'm stuck like this right now!" Em's dad was so irritated that he lost it. His face flushed scarlet as he bellowed, "Enough! You quit placing blame on one another. Emerald, you're troublemaking all the time. You lost the cat, you spilt juice, and now you're blaming your brother. I'm done!"
"You're a disappointment, Emerald!" he screamed as he grabbed Em's arm and pulled her in. In this family, you are a waste of time and space. Maybe we wouldn't be having these issues if I had a daughter who wasn't so completely useless." Em's mother, who is typically the witnesser, noticed the growing chaos. "Our angel Alec would never leave the backdoor open," she said, attempting to end this argument.
