Chapter 12 - EMMA AND RYAN
Emma refused to forgive Ryan quickly.
Good.
He had destroyed her cake.
Mocked her.
Used Michael’s favoritism.
Then the DNA revelation made adults suddenly pity him.
Emma hated that.
At family therapy she said:
“Everyone keeps asking if Ryan is okay.”
Claire looked at her.
“Are you?”
“No.”
There.
Ryan sat across from her.
He looked ashamed.
Emma continued:
“He ruined my birthday before he found out anything.”
True.
The therapist turned to Ryan.
“What do you want to say?”
Ryan shrugged.
Nothing.
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
Emma stared.
“For what?”
“The cake.”
“And?”
He looked at Michael.
Michael said nothing.
Good.
Ryan continued:
“For saying go cook with your mom.”
“And?”
Ryan’s face reddened.
“For acting like Dad liking me more made me better.”
Emma’s eyes filled.
Michael looked down.
Emma asked:
“Did you think you were better?”
Ryan whispered:
“Sometimes.”
Honest.
Then Emma said:
“I don’t forgive you yet.”
Ryan nodded.
“Okay.”
That was more meaningful than a forced hug.
Months later, he bought her a cupcake.
Not a replacement castle.
One cupcake.
Pink frosting.
He left it on the kitchen counter with a note:
NO STICKS.
Emma laughed despite herself.
Not forgiveness.
Movement.
By the second year, Emma and Ryan had developed a strange agreement.
No jokes about DNA.
No “real” sibling language.
No using Nathan or Vanessa as weapons during fights.
They still fought.
Constantly.
Ryan borrowed chargers.
Emma hid his headphones.
Claire once heard Emma shout:
“At least I know who my dad is!”
The house went silent.
Emma froze.
Ryan’s face changed.
Claire did not need to punish first.
Emma whispered:
“I’m sorry.”
Ryan stared.
Then:
“That was low.”
“I know.”
“Don’t do it again.”
“I won’t.”
Repair happened faster because the rule already existed.
May you like
Pain was not banned.
Weaponizing it was.
