Chapter 14 - Adrian Told Emily the Truth About Claire
One year earlier, Adrian would have avoided this conversation.
Now he sat beside Emily on her bed with Claire’s photograph between them.
Emily asked:
“Do I make you sad because I look like Mom?”
Adrian’s heart broke quietly.
“No.”
“Rebecca said—”
“I know.”
He took a breath.
“Sometimes looking at you reminds me of Mommy.”
Emily looked worried.
“Does that hurt?”
“Sometimes.”
Her eyes filled.
Adrian continued before she could blame herself.
“But it also makes me happy.”
“How?”
“Because I loved her. And I love you. Remembering someone can hurt and still be good.”
Emily thought about that.
“So I don’t make you sad?”
“You don’t cause my sadness.”
That distinction mattered.
Claire’s death caused grief.
Memory touched it.
Emily did not create it.
Adrian realized he should have explained that years ago.
Adults often hide grief from children believing silence protects them.
Children notice anyway.
Then they invent reasons.
Rebecca had filled one of those empty spaces with the worst possible explanation.
Adrian would not leave the space empty again.
Emily leaned against him.
“Can Rebecca come back?”
Adrian did not lie.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you still love her?”
“Yes.”
Emily seemed surprised.
“Then why aren’t you marrying?”
“Because loving someone and being ready to trust them are different things.”
Another pause.
“Can you love someone and say no?”
“Yes.”
May you like
Emily smiled faintly.
That answer would matter far beyond this wedding.
