Emerald

Chapter Sixteen: Jessica Harris

I woke up hearing the sound of people shouting. My blood was pounding inside of my head and my mouth was dry from lack of H2O.

"She did it! I know she did it! Even Jessica said she did it!" It was Regina.

"I know....just.....wait until she wakes up." My dad said.

I opened my eyes and found my dad and Regina standing at the edge of the bed. We were back at the cabin.

"Emery!" My father exclaimed, rushing to my side. "How are you feeling? Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Water...."

He smiled, turning around to pour a glass of water from the container on the table beside the bed.

He handed me the cup and I quickly gulped the whole thing. "Emery...what happened out there?"

"I..." I began but was cut off my Regina.

"She pushed Jessica off the boat because she knows Jessica can't swim. Why do you even have to ask her?" Regina snapped.

A look of anger flashed across father's eyes and I looked down, squeezing my fist.

He was going to yell at me again.

"Can you stop?" He growled. "I know Emery would never do something like that!"

I looked up at him and felt tears forming around the corner of my eyes. "Daddy....you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, sweetheart. You're my only daughter." He smiled down at me.

Regina huffed before storming out the door. "Then I'll leave!"

My dad sat beside me and wrapped his arms around my small body. I snaked my arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder.

"I didn't push her....I swear...." I cried. "She spiked my drink and....." My voice cracked and I buried my face deeper into his shirt.

"I know..." He whispered. "I know.....you don't have to explain anything."

I nodded and cried until he finally pulled away and wiped my cheeks with his thumb.

"I have to tell you the truth, Emery." My father stated. "I...I love Regina. She was the only woman I ever loved. Your mother....Adeline....she knew I loved Regina but she chose to marry me. It was an arranged marriage but she was also in love with me."

Arranged marriage?

"Your mother.....she didn't commit suicide." He mumbled. "She died from tuberculosis....it was attacking her lungs and her brain."

Tears were forming around my eyes by now as I listened to my dad explain everything.

"She was losing her mind and not thinking straight....she wanted me to herself. She must've wrote that letter to you about committing suicide so you'll hate me and Regina."
     
      
        
         
          
Greg's POV: [Emery's dad]
Eighteen years ago:
        
           
           
      
"Yo, look at those hotties over there." My best friend, Josh said. "She's totally trying to get your attention."

I looked towards the direction he was pointing and saw a brunette girl with a very revealing bikini on. It was like a second layer of skin on her. She was stretching and giving me flirty looks.

I rolled my eyes and turned back towards my book.

"You're such a nerd," Josh elbowed me.

"Whatever," I pushed him off and laid on my back with my right arm behind my head, my other arm holding the book above me.