Hope flickered in the couple’s eyes as the man leaned forward. “We can explain everything—” Emily cut him off, her tone sharp. “You left me with a nanny. You went abroad. And when it all went wrong, you weren’t there to protect me. She was.” She pointed toward Clara, her voice breaking but strong. “She’s the one who stayed. She’s the one who raised me.”
Clara lifted her tear-streaked face, disbelief and relief tangling in her chest. Emily crossed the room and took her hand, squeezing it tight. “Don’t ever lie to me again,” she said softly. “It’s us against the world, but we have to be honest.”