Chapter 5

• Upon entering the house, it was evident that Mom was already home, so Emerald went to find her. She found her in the living room, sitting comfortably. Maybe it was the fatigue of work or the strain of pregnancy catching up to her.
• As Emerald approached, she couldn't help but admire her mother's beauty—from her lustrous, black hair to her bright eyes that sparkled even without a smile. It was easy to see why her father adored her. Her mother's incredible personality also made Emerald grateful to have her as a parent, not only for herself but also for Zack and the little one growing inside her.
• "Hey Mom," Emerald greeted softly as she settled beside her on the white couch that matched the vibrant decor of the living room.
• "You're back. How are you?" Her mother opened her eyes, offering Emerald a warm smile, and placed her hand over Emerald's.
• "I'm good," Emerald replied, removing her backpack. "How was work today?"
• "Oh, you know, just the usual... lots of paperwork here and there. I'm relieved I'll be getting a break soon." Emerald's mother offered a weary smile, and Emerald nodded in agreement, understanding deeply how much her mother needed a respite. Her publishing company was thriving, but the demands of leading it were undeniably taxing.
• "I encountered someone today," Emerald began, pausing slightly for effect. "She claimed to be my biological mother."
• Her mother's demeanor shifted at once. "What? Who is it?"
• "Daisy," Emerald replied.
• "Oh, my God. Why would she—?" Her mother's eyes, filled with concern, scanned Emerald's face. "What exactly did she say to you?"
• With a nonchalant shrug, Emerald responded, "She just mentioned she's been searching for me for quite some time."
• "Was there anything else?" her mother inquired anxiously. Emerald shook her head, although she couldn't help but wonder if there were deeper secrets being concealed. If there were indeed things she was not meant to understand yet, perhaps it was for the best.
• "I was surprised, but I'm alright now," Emerald reassured her.
• Her mother softened. "Oh, my dear girl," she said, pulling Emerald into her warm embrace, her fingers gently caressing Emerald's back. "I'm so glad you're okay." Emerald let herself relax in her mother's arms, a genuine smile gracing her lips. Her mother's hugs were unmatched in their comfort.
• "Can I get a hug too?" came the eager voice of Emerald's ever-charming little brother, Zack. She glanced over at him, his thick black hair playfully bouncing as he approached, curiosity illuminating his eyes.
• "Hey, Zack," Emerald greeted him with a broad smile, thinking fondly about how his smile would surely captivate many hearts as he grew. "How's my favorite guy?" He clambered onto their mother's lap, offering a barely audible response.
• As usual.
• "Just look at you two... absolutely adorable," their mother remarked lovingly, her eyes moving back and forth between her two children. "Alright, bring it in."
• "Family hug?" Zack suggested eagerly. When their mother nodded, he squealed in delight, wrapping them both in a hug, to which she then included Emerald.
• Emerald savored that moment of simple togetherness, feeling the warmth of their shared bond. Without a doubt, these were the people she cherished with all her heart. She was determined not to let anyone, not even Daisy, disrupt something so precious.
• ......
• The warmth enveloped Emerald as she awoke abruptly, her heart clenching from a distressing and all-too-familiar dream that interrupted what was meant to be a peaceful sleep. Staring into the encompassing darkness, she wondered why her biological mother had chosen to reappear in her life.
• Though uncertain of the specifics, her sudden presence undeniably stirred emotions within Emerald. Just moments ago, in her dream, she relived the memory of being slapped as a four-year-old—a moment that inflicted pain not only physically but emotionally as well. Her mother's actions then made young Emerald feel unwanted, creating insecurities that had lingered over the years. Unfortunately, those feelings of insecurity remained, even now. The memory of that terrible day had made her long for some kind of scientific or magical way to erase such memories, though she knew it was unlikely unless by some accident she received a blow to the head.
• As she sat up in bed, Emerald glanced at the small analog clock sitting on the nightstand beside her. Realizing she still had an hour and a half before school started, she considered going back to sleep. However, the recollection of the unsettling dream dissuaded her from returning to slumber, prompting her instead to check her homework for any overlooked assignments. Frustrated with her current state, she threw her pillow towards the other side of the room, accidentally knocking over the trash bin near the entrance to her bathroom.
• While debating retrieving it or allowing it to join the pile of dirty clothes, she heard an unexpected noise that resembled rushing water. Knowing there was no sensible reason for such a sound in her bathroom, she furrowed her brow in confusion.
• Cautiously, Emerald stepped towards the bathroom. Slowly pushing the door open, she was enveloped by darkness, save for the sound of running water. She reached for the light switch without hesitation, and the room suddenly brightened. Startled by what she saw, Emerald let out a small shriek.
• But the gaze of blue eyes meeting hers was entirely emotionless. It was just Zack, her younger brother, apparently brushing his teeth.
• "In the dark? At this time?" she questioned, leaning against the doorframe.
• Zack blinked at her, then turned to spit toothpaste foam into the basin where the water continued to flow. He faced her again with calmness. "I'm brushing," he stated simply.
• "Why are you doing that in my bathroom?" she asked. "How did you even get in here without me noticing?" Emerald glanced instinctively at the main entrance of her room as if she hoped to find traces of how he had slipped past her unnoticed.
• "I like the wallpaper here," Zack replied nonchalantly.
• Emerald's eyebrows arched as she turned her gaze toward the repetitive anchor pattern on the light gold walls of the bathroom. "What?" Her expression undoubtedly conveyed her incredulity at her brother's peculiar behavior. "You're brushing in the dark, Zack."
• "The wallpaper helps me think," he said, disregarding her observation, and Emerald decided to humor his peculiar reasoning.
• "What were you thinking about?" Emerald inquired, curiosity piqued by her brother's actions.
• "Life," Zack replied. His toothbrush resumed its thorough, perhaps overly diligent job of cleaning teeth that surely were spotless by now.
• "Life," Emerald echoed, finding it hard to make sense of his unusual introspection. "What about life, though?" She was genuinely curious about what such a young boy could be pondering regarding life's intricacies—and why.
• "How hard it is. And sad." Zack's composed yet somber response left Emerald certain that her brother was truly unique. His perspective intrigued her, sparking a desire to understand him better. Perhaps it could even lead to a lively morning discussion. Emerald smiled at the prospect of her father trying to intervene in such a debate.
• "Don't you think life can be joyful as well?" she countered.
• The faucet was turned off, and Zack's gaze met her reflection in the mirror.
• "Rarely," he replied with startling gravity, leaving an unexpected weight in the air that Emerald couldn't ignore.
• Still, she continued, "Zack, I don't know what brought you to say that, but life has its moments of happiness, just as it does sadness. We just have to navigate through challenges to find those happy moments, okay?"
• Zack gave her a look of apparent incomprehension, yet his small nod mirrored their father's manner when engaged in conversation while preoccupied with work.
• Silently, Zack headed towards the door. But before he could leave the room, Emerald called after him, wanting to understand him more. "Why do you think life is sad?"
• A dramatic silence followed before Zack responded, "I saw a dog die yesterday." Without waiting for a reply, he left, leaving Emerald with a longing to comfort him.