Page 55 of Emma
Emma had half expected them to appear via video link, Carmen more so to maintain her physical distance, but they all sat in the very same room, and Emma appreciated it. They didn’t appear to look overly hostile, but they didn’t seem warm either. Their expressions were carefully neutral, as though they were here out of obligation rather than any hope of a resolution.
Ellie cleared her throat and offered everyone a smile. “Thank you for coming. I appreciate that this is a sensitive meeting, and I want to start by acknowledging that we’re here because Freya’s well-being is everyone’s top priority.”
A round of polite nods followed, and then silence again.
Emma’s stomach tightened.
Nia leaned forward, her tone gentle but clear. “Before we go any further, I want to clarify a few things from a legal standpoint, because I think it will help inform what happens next.”
Emma nodded, though she wasn’t sure she was ready for what that could be.
“I understand that Freya disclosed her belief that Miss Bradley is her sister during a private conversation,” Nia began, her eyes flicking briefly to Emma before she returned to her notes. “Miss Bradley…Emma…handled that appropriately. She did not confirm or encourage the idea. It is also my understanding that she met with Ms Hamilton last week to explain the situation and ask for guidance.”
“But she didn’t go to Ms Hamilton right away!” Carmen said suddenly, her gaze pinning Emma to her seat. “Why?”
“I think it’s important to understand that Emma didn’t know what was happening just as much as you and Ben didn’t know. Nobody is at fault here, Carmen.” Nia cleared her throat. “Emma has only known about Freya for a couple of weeks. I think we can all agree that some processing time is allowed when such things come to light.”
Carmen folded her arms across her chest and turned away.
Emma’s throat tightened. She didn’t like being talkedaboutrather thanto, but she understood it was necessary. She also didn’t want to cut in while Carmen was venting.
“We’ve reviewed the background circumstances,” Nia continued, “and Icanconfirm that based on newly available information, Freya and Emma are indeed biological sisters.”
Carmen shifted slightly in her seat. Ben sat very still.
Emma felt her heart stutter in her chest, even though she already knew. Hearing it aloud and hearing it from someone official made it real in a way it hadn’t been before.
“Thank you for confirming that, Nia,” Ellie said.
Nia turned her attention to Carmen and Ben. “Now, I’d like to clarify your legal status in Freya’s life. You are not her adoptive parents. You are special guardians, appointed under a Special Guardianship Order. Correct?”
Ben answered first. “Yes.”
Carmen gave a short nod, her jaw set.
Nia continued. “Special guardianship gives you parental responsibility, but it does not sever the child’s legal ties to their birth family.”
Emma’s breath caught.
“In this case,” Nia said carefully. “There isnolegal restriction preventing Freya from having contact with her sister. There isnolegal requirement that Emma be excluded from her life, now that their biological relationship has come to light.”
Emma blinked, truly stunned by the turn of events.
“I want to be clear that this doesn’t mean there is any pressure on Freya or on you as her guardians to facilitate a sudden or intense relationship. But itdoesmean that if Freya wants contact, and Emma wishes to be involved in her life, that’s entirely permissible. And, from a professional standpoint, we would support a carefully managed introduction process with the appropriate support in place.”
Vanessa reached for Emma’s hand beneath the table. Emma clung to it like a lifeline. Was she hearing this right? Shecouldbe Freya’s sister? Though Emma had hoped and prayed, she hadn’t expected it to come true.
Carmen looked across the desk at Nia. “With all due respect, Freya is still a child. She’s already overwhelmed. The last thing she needs is someone she doesn’t know walking into her lifeora new layer of emotional complication. She’s been through enough.”
Nia nodded calmly. “That’s absolutely valid, Carmen. And again,nothingwill be forced. We would take Freya’s lead, at herpace, with emotional support offered. But she already knows the truth. She confronted Emma directly. That tells us she’salreadynavigating this…whether we help her or not.”
A long silence followed, and then Ben finally spoke. “We want to do what’s best for her. That’s always been our aim.”
Emma looked up at them slowly. “And so do I. I’m not trying to replace anyone or step into your role. I just…I’d like the chance to know her. If that’s somethingshewants.”
Carmen’s expression flickered. The tension gave way briefly to something that looked almost like exhaustion. “You understand how hard this is for us?” Carmen said, her voice barely there. “We’ve raised her for four years now. We’ve protected her from so much. And now this comes out of nowhere.”
“I do understand,” Emma said gently. “And I’m sorry. I wish I’d known. I wish I could have prepared youandmyself, but I didn’t ask for this either. I’m just trying to find a way through it without hurting her.”
