The moment the last footsteps faded and the door clicked shut, Emily broke.
Her body slid down the wall of her room as if it no longer knew how to stand. She landed on the floor with a dull thud, her back pressed against the door, knees drawn tightly to her chest. For a heartbeat, she just sat there—staring, unmoving, as if her mind had disconnected from her body.
Then the sob tore out of her.
It came suddenly, violently, ripping through her chest like something breaking free after being trapped too long. Emily clamped her hand over her mouth, but it didn't help. The sound escaped anyway—raw, cracked, desperate.
Her shoulders shook as tears streamed down her face, soaking into the fabric of her dress. She folded over herself, arms wrapping around her knees, trying to make herself smaller. Safer. Invisible.
Her mind replayed everything in cruel fragments.
Her mother's proud smile downstairs.
"This is our daughter."
"And this is Emily… our adopted child."
The way the room had gone quiet.
The glances.
The polite smiles that didn't quite reach anyone's eyes.
The whisper that still burned in her ears.
Watch me take over the life that belongs to you.
Emily squeezed her eyes shut, a fresh wave of tears spilling over.
"I didn't do anything," she whispered hoarsely to the empty room. "I didn't…"
Her chest felt tight, like something heavy was sitting on it, crushing the air out of her lungs. Every breath came in short, uneven gasps.
The fall.
How her own parents couldn't even defend her.
The way her parents hadn't even looked at her before choosing a side.
Her fingers dug into her arms as if she could ground herself in the pain. She rocked slightly, back and forth, the way she used to when she was younger and scared. Back when crying into the night hadn't felt so lonely.
Her phone buzzed.
The sound startled her, sharp and sudden in the quiet room. Emily flinched, lifting her head slowly as if afraid the sound might disappear if she moved too quickly.
The screen lit up.
Louis.
Her breath caught painfully in her throat.
For a moment, she just stared at his name. Tears blurred her vision, making the letters swim. Her thumb hovered over the screen, trembling.
She couldn't answer at the moment. She knew that. She didn't want him to hear her like this—broken, sobbing, barely able to breathe. She didn't want to explain something she barely understood herself.
The phone buzzed again.
And again.
Emily inhaled shakily and answered.
"H-hello?" Her voice came out rough, cracked, soaked in tears.
There was a pause on the other end of the line.
"Emily?" Louis said immediately. His tone changed instantly. "Hey… what's wrong?"
She tried to respond, but her throat closed.
A sob slipped out instead, sharp and humiliating.
"Em," he said gently. "Why are you crying?"
She pressed her free hand to her mouth, shaking her head even though he couldn't see her. "I—I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to—"
"Slow down," Louis said softly. "Talk to me. What happened?"
She dragged in a breath that hurt her chest. "It was earlier… today. My sister. The welcome party." Her voice wavered.
"They all didn't believe me." she sobbed.
Silence, "what really happened?" he said carefully.
"I mean… I can't hear you clearly."
Her lips trembled.
"Why are you crying?" he asked.
Emily squeezed her eyes shut. "I don't know how to explain it properly. I just… I feel like I don't belong anymore."
Silence filled the line.
"Emily," Louis said slowly, "did someone say something to you?"
She hesitated. Her breathing became uneven again. "My mom introduced her as her daughter. And me as… adopted." The word tasted bitter. "I know it's true, but hearing it like that—"
"That's bad," Louis murmured.
Tears spilled freely now. "Everyone was looking at me. I felt so stupid standing there, smiling like everything was fine."
"Em, I'm sorry," he said. "I should've been there for you."
"It's not your fault," she rushed to say, afraid he might blame himself. "I understand you ain't around. I just—" Her voice broke again. "I don't think they need me anymore."
"That's not true," Louis said quickly. "They love you."
Silence.
"Emily?" he pressed.
She swallowed hard. "I can't talk properly right now. I'm still crying. I don't want to sound like this."
"It's okay," Louis said softly. "You don't have to explain everything. Just… breathe, okay? I'll come back soon and we'll talk about it."
She nodded even though he couldn't see it. "Okay."
Before either of them could say more,
the door swung open.
Mrs Longford, walked in.
"L-Louis," she said into the phone, her voice trembling. "I—I have to go."
"ok see you when I'm back?" Louis said.
"Okay." Emily murmured before ending the call.
The silence afterward was unbearable.
Emily sat there, clutching her phone to her chest like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her shoulders shook as she struggled to steady herself.
Mrs. Langford crossed her arms, her expression sharp. "Why did you treat your sister that way, is it that you're not happy we found her?"
Emily said nothing. She lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around her phone.
Her mother scoffed. "After everything, you still find a way to make yourself look like the victim."
Emily's lips parted, but no words came out.
Mrs. Langford's eyes hardened. "We finally have her back, and instead of being grateful, you sulk, cry, and make the whole house uncomfortable."
"I didn't—" Emily started, her voice barely audible, then stopped.
Her mother cut her off. "Save it. This isn't about your feelings."
The words landed like a blow.
Mrs. Langford exhaled sharply. "Clean yourself up," she said coldly without looking at her.
"And come downstairs. We need to talk."
She turned toward the door, then paused just long enough to add, "Don't keep us waiting."
Before slamming the door shut behind her.