EMMA
I flung myself into my parents' arms, wrapping my own around them in a tight embrace. "Mum! Dad!" I squealed, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill down my face.
But my parents didn't respond, their bodies stiff and unyielding.
How could I have forgotten? They can read me like the back of their palm. Realizing that they had already sensed something was wrong.
I pulled back, my eyes scanning their faces. My mum's eyes were narrowed, her brow furrowed in concern. My dad's face was stern, his jaw clenched.
"Emma, is there something we need to know about?" my mum asked, her voice soft as always. "Is it something you are hiding from us?"
I felt a lump form in my throat, and I swallowed hard. "Mum...thank you," I stammered, trying to hold back the tears.
"Please trust me on this one. You know I would never choose to leave you?"
My mum's eyes bored into mine, and I knew I couldn't lie to her. She knew me too well and had taken care of me for too long.
