CHAPTER 16
Mark was released from jail the next day.
He came to the hospital, his face pale and drawn.
"Lauren," he said.
"Mark."
"Can we talk?"
"Yes."
We walked to the hospital cafeteria and sat down at a table in the corner.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"For what?"
"For everything."
"Mark, you didn't do anything."
"I know. But I still lied. I still kept secrets. I still let you down."
"You were trying to protect us."
"I know. But I still should have been honest with you."
"Yes. You should have."
"Can you ever forgive me?"
"I don't know."
"I understand."
"Mark, I need time."
"I know."
"This is going to take a long time."
"I know."
"Can I see Emma?"
"Yes."
I took Mark to Emma's room.
She was watching cartoons.
"Daddy!" she said when she saw him.
"Emma!"
He ran to her and hugged her tightly.
"Daddy, I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, baby."
"Daddy, are you okay?"
"Yes, baby. I'm okay."
"Are you going to stay?"
"Yes, baby. I'm going to stay."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
He kissed her forehead and held her close.
I watched them, and I felt a surge of emotion.
They were together again.
My family was together again.
But things would never be the same.
---
Mark moved back into the house, but he slept in the guest room.
We didn't talk much.
We didn't touch.
We just existed in the same space, two strangers bound by a shared history.
I didn't know if we would ever be able to fix what was broken.
I didn't know if we would ever be able to trust each other again.
All I knew was that Emma was alive.
And that was enough.
---
Rachel was released from jail the next day.
She came to the hospital, her face pale and drawn.
"Lauren," she said.
"Rachel."
"Can we talk?"
"Yes."
We walked to the hospital cafeteria and sat down at a table in the corner.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"For what?"
"For everything."
"Rachel, you didn't do anything."
"I know. But I still lied. I still kept secrets. I still let you down."
"You were trying to protect yourself."
"I know. But I still should have been honest with you."
"Yes. You should have."
"Can you ever forgive me?"
"I don't know."
"I understand."
"Rachel, I need time."
"I know."
"This is going to take a long time."
"I know."
"Can I see Emma?"
"Yes."
I took Rachel to Emma's room.
Emma was happy to see her aunt.
"Rachel!" she said.
"Emma!"
They hugged each other tightly.
"Emma, I'm so sorry," Rachel said.
"For what?"
"For everything."
"It's okay, Rachel. I'm okay."
"I know. But I still feel bad."
"It's okay."
Emma kissed Rachel's cheek.
"Rachel, I love you," Emma said.
"I love you too, Emma."
They hugged each other tightly, and I felt a surge of emotion.
May you like
My family was together again.
But things would never be the same.
