As blunt as Anwyll was, he wasn't wrong.
If at thirty Mr. and Mrs. Dai still didn't see Emiko as an adult, then would they ever?
Yes, Emiko was their only child, but that didn't excuse treating her like a teenager when she wants. She was a grown woman — a strong one at that. But being doubted all her life, it was no surprise she sometimes doubted herself.
Kiah thought back to the first day she met Emiko. Her guarded reaction made more sense now. If her parents had always babied her, then trying to prove herself must have been second nature. Even now, Kiah would never have guessed Emiko was pushing thirty, not with how closely her parents hovered.
Her frustration was justified. Kiah knew she would have blown up too if she'd been in her shoes. Unless Mr. and Mrs. Dai changed, they risked losing their daughter for good.
The rest of the lunch passed in awkward silence.
