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“Why now? After 18 years?”
My chest tightened as I watched her stage this little performance.
“These are designer gowns,” she said, unzipping one bag to reveal expensive fabric. “The kind you girls could never afford. And there’s cash here too. Enough to change your lives.”
Emma’s hands found Clara’s, and they held tight.
“Why?” I asked, my voice rough. “Why now? After 18 years?”
“What condition?”
Lauren smirked. “Because I want my daughters back. I want to give them the life they deserve.”
She pulled out a folded document and placed it on top of the envelope.
“But there’s one condition.”
The room felt smaller suddenly, like the walls were closing in.
“What condition?” Emma asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“You have to choose ME over your father.”
Lauren’s smile widened. “It’s simple, darling. You can have all of this… the gowns, the money, everything. But you have to choose ME over your father.”
The words hung in the air like poison.
“You have to acknowledge publicly that he failed you,” she added. “That he kept you in poverty while I was out working to build a better future. That you’re choosing to come live with me because I can ACTUALLY provide for you.”
“Dad, what does it say?”
My hands clenched into fists at my sides.
“You’re insane.”
“Am I?” She turned to face me, her expression triumphant. “I’m offering them an opportunity. What have you given them? A cramped apartment and some sewing lessons? Please!”
Emma reached for the document, her fingers brushing over it uncertainly. “Dad, what does it say?”
“That’s sick.”
I took it from her, my hands shaking as I read the typed words aloud.
It was a contract…stating that Emma and Clara would denounce me as an inadequate father and credit Lauren with their success and well-being.
“She wants you to sign away your relationship with me,” I said softly, my voice breaking. “In exchange for money.”
Clara’s face went pale. “That’s sick.”
“Let me finish, Dad.”
“That’s business,” Lauren corrected. “And it’s a limited-time offer. Decide now.”
Emma stood up slowly, her hand finding the envelope of cash. She picked it up, feeling its weight.
“This is a lot of money.”
My heart cracked. “Emma…”
“Let me finish, Dad.” She turned toward where Lauren was standing. “This is a lot of money. Probably more than we’ve ever had at once.”
“But you know what’s funny?”
Lauren’s smile grew smug.
“But you know what’s funny?” Emma continued, her voice gaining strength. “We’ve never needed it. We’ve had everything that actually matters.”
Clara stood too, moving to stand beside her sister. “We’ve had a father who stayed. Who taught us. Who loved us when we were hard to love.”
“Who made sure we never felt broken,” Emma added.
“We’re not for sale.”