Broken Glass

Chapter 1: Introduction to Emily's life with her mother and father in the city

Emily woke up to the sound of her mother's laughter and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the kitchen. She stretched her arms and yawned, feeling the softness of her bed and the warmth of her cozy bedroom. It was a typical Saturday morning in the Wilson household, and Emily loved every minute of it.

She threw off her covers and padded to the kitchen, where her mother was busy making pancakes and her father was reading the newspaper. The kitchen was filled with the sound of sizzling bacon and the chatter of her parents' conversation.

"Good morning, sweetie!" her mother exclaimed, giving Emily a warm hug. "How did you sleep?"
"I slept great, Mom," Emily replied, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "What's for breakfast?"
"Pancakes, of course!" her mother said, flipping a pancake in the skillet. "Your favorite."
Emily's father looked up from his newspaper and smiled at her. "Hey, kiddo. How's my favorite daughter doing today?"

Emily rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "I'm your only daughter, Dad."
Her father chuckled. "Well, that's true. But you're still my favorite."
The three of them sat down to eat, and Emily felt grateful for this moment of normalcy. Her parents were always busy with work and other obligations, but on weekends, they made an effort to spend quality time together as a family.
As they ate, they talked about their plans for the day.

Emily's mother was planning to take her to the park for a picnic, while her father had a meeting with a potential client. Emily was looking forward to the picnic, as it was one of her favorite things to do with her mother.
After breakfast, Emily helped her mother clean up the kitchen, and then they set off for the park. The sun was shining, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Emily felt carefree and happy, enjoying the time with her mother.

As they walked to the park, Emily's mother asked her about school. Emily was a junior in high school, and her mother was always interested in hearing about her classes and friends. Emily told her about her math test, her English essay, and her plans for the upcoming school dance.
Her mother listened attentively, asking questions and making supportive noises. Emily felt grateful for her mother's interest and encouragement. She knew that her mother was always there for her, no matter what.

When they arrived at the park, Emily's mother spread out a blanket, and they sat down to eat. Emily's mother had packed a delicious lunch, complete with sandwiches, fruit, and cookies. Emily was starving, and she dug in with gusto.
As they ate, Emily's mother told her about her own day. She was a freelance writer, and she was working on a new article about sustainable living. Emily was fascinated by her mother's stories about the environment and the importance of reducing waste.

After lunch, they took a walk around the park, enjoying the scenery and the fresh air. Emily felt happy and content, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the love of her mother.
As the day drew to a close, Emily's mother suggested that they stop by the library on the way home. Emily loved books, and she was always eager to explore the shelves and find new titles to read. Her mother agreed, and they spent the next hour browsing through the stacks, picking out books and chatting with the librarian.

When they got home, Emily's father was already there, cooking dinner in the kitchen. Emily's mother helped him with the meal, while Emily went to her room to start her homework.
As she sat at her desk, Emily felt grateful for this ordinary, wonderful day. She knew that her parents loved her, and she felt safe and supported in their care. She had no idea that her life was about to change in ways she could never imagine.