Chapter 14 - ROBERT'S LAST MOVE
Robert sued the television network.
Then named Emily as a witness.
His claim:
producers manipulated him,
misrepresented his intentions,
damaged earning capacity.
His attorney subpoenaed communications between Emily and production.
Rachel moved to limit it.
Then something emerged.
Robert had signed a side letter after the first episode.
He agreed to a second appearance if the network guaranteed:
$40,000,
travel,
hotel,
and “reasonable opportunity to discuss family reconciliation and financial expectations.”
Financial expectations.
There it was in his own contract.
His lawsuit collapsed quickly.
Then Robert called Emily from an unknown number.
She answered before recognizing him.
“Emily.”
She nearly hung up.
“Wait.”
“No.”
“I’m your father.”
She went silent.
He continued:
“You can’t erase biology.”
Emily answered:
“I’m not trying to.”
“You’ll understand when I’m dead.”
There.
Death as leverage.
Emily’s voice became calm.
“You keep talking about what I’ll regret later because you have nothing to offer me now.”
Robert breathed heavily.
“You think those adoptive people made you better than us?”
Emily closed her eyes.
Then:
“They made me safe.”
Silence.
Robert hung up.
The next day he posted online:
My daughter chose money and fame over family.
Emily laughed when she saw it.
Then blocked him everywhere.
Not dramatic.
May you like
Administrative.
A boundary can look like a button.
