Chapter 9 - DANIEL'S ANSWER
Claire confronted Daniel that night.
“Do you regret adopting Emma?”
His face collapsed.
“No.”
“Did you tell your mother that?”
“No.”
“Did you ever say anything close?”
He sat down.
After Emma’s diagnosis, Daniel had once told Margaret:
“I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this.”
Margaret asked:
“Would you have chosen differently if you knew?”
Daniel said:
“I don’t know.”
Claire stared.
“You said that?”
“I meant the illness. The fear. I was breaking.”
“But she heard the adoption.”
“Yes.”
“Did you correct her?”
Daniel went quiet.
Claire felt betrayed all over again.
Not because Daniel wished Emma away.
Because he had left dangerous ambiguity sitting with someone who already resented the child.
Then he said:
“I was scared to admit I was terrified.”
Claire’s anger softened by one degree.
Not forgiveness.
Context.
He loved Emma.
He was also frightened.
Margaret had translated fear into regret.
Then Emma appeared in the hallway again.
She had heard enough.
“Dad?”
Daniel stood.
Emma asked:
“Did you not want me?”
Claire’s heart broke.
Daniel crossed the room slowly.
He did not touch her without permission.
“No. I wanted you.”
“Even now?”
“Yes.”
“Even sick?”
His face crumpled.
“Especially when you’re scared.”
Emma stared.
Then:
“Grandma says real parents don’t have to choose.”
Claire closed her eyes.
There it was.
Margaret had been saying it directly.
Daniel whispered:
“What else did she say?”
Emma looked at Claire first.
Then answered.
“She says if I was really yours, Mom wouldn’t have to try so hard.”
Claire fought tears.
Then Emma added:
“She says one day you’ll both get tired.”
That was not discipline.
May you like
That was attachment terror.
And suddenly Claire understood why Emma had begun apologizing every time she felt sick.
