Dancing with Shadows ✔

The Truth

Dancing with Shadows

Chapter 28

Emma stood outside the guest room, her heart pounding in her chest. She inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself.

"Inhale. Exhale. Inhale," she silently coached herself. "Okay, breathe, Emma. It's just a visit, nothing is going to happen. Just some friends and 'family.'"

She took one last deep breath before raising her hand to knock on the door. When she heard the invitation to enter, she hesitated, but then slowly pushed the door open. What she saw inside made her freeze in shock.

Sitting before her were not only her friends but her real family—her mom and dad. The very people she had been told were dead. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"M-mom? D-dad? You're a-alright..." Her voice trembled with a mixture of hope and confusion.

"Of course we are, sweetie," her mother said, standing up and pulling her into a warm embrace. "We're sorry we couldn't visit earlier. Your brothers were in an accident a month ago, but don't worry, they're okay now. They're home recovering."

Emma's mind raced. "W-why didn't you tell m-me a-anything?" she asked, her chest tightening with the weight of all the lies she'd been fed.

"We didn't want you to worry," her father explained, his voice gentle. "You were already going through so much."

Emma's gaze locked onto her father's eyes, the same eyes she had been told she would never see again. The emotional weight of the past months crashed down on her.

"Emma, are you okay?" Valentina's voice pulled her attention to the left, where her friends—Valentina, Cody, and Greyson—stood behind her, concern etched on their faces.

That's when Emma broke. Tears spilt down her cheeks, her body trembling as the dam of emotions finally burst. The abuse, the lies, the pain—it all poured out in uncontrollable sobs. Her knees buckled beneath her, but her father caught her just before she hit the floor.

"What's wrong?!" he asked, panic lacing his voice.

"This is all wrong..." Emma cried out. "M-my grandparents said you d-died! They s-said it was my f-fault because y-y-you were coming to v-visit me!" Her sobs gradually turned into tears of relief and joy as she realized the truth. She clung to her parents, feeling a deep sense of comfort and security.

"I'm so g-glad you all are o-okay," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. As she hugged her parents, she looked over their shoulders at her friends, who were standing there with nervous expressions. She reached out her right hand, and Greyson stepped forward to take it. She smiled at him, feeling the warmth of his hand in hers. Then she let go of his hand to hold Valentina's, resting her head on her father's shoulder.

"Let's go home, Emma. We can't let them keep you here any longer," her mother said softly, her voice filled with determination.

Home. The word tugged at Emma's heart, filling her with longing. She missed it—the warmth, the familiarity, the safety. But as much as she wanted to leave, doubt gnawed at her.

"I-I don't know if I can go," Emma whispered, pulling away from her father's embrace and releasing Valentina's hand.

"It wouldn't be hard, honey. We'll sign you out," her mother assured her, gently taking Emma's hand.

"No, t-that's not what I mean," Emma said, shaking her head. "I-I promised something to a friend."

Her father frowned, his concern deepening. "A friend? Who is this friend?"