Page 6 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

I am filled with instant regret when I realize that I had not called them like I had promised.

"I’m so sorry. It completely slipped my mind because I had been so busy.”

"She works too much." I can hear my mother's voice in the background.

"Mom, she can hear you." Emma turns to whisper to Mom, who is somewhere in the room.

"How have you guys been?" I ask, and as the three young girls push at each other, attempting to be the one to answer. I am afforded a view of the section of the ceiling that is in dire need of a fresh coat of paint.

Guilt snakes through me, I swallow a ball of sadness at not visiting home as often as I should. Home, before I left, had been in dire need of repair. I try not to think about the porch roof that desperately needed replacing.

"We are cool. I went for a sleepover at Betty's. It was fun, her mom was really nice, we had pizza for dinner and it was so delicious, Felicity. I had more than two slices, and her father was not mad."

"That's awesome,” I say with a grin. “I can send Mom money to get you more pizza."

"Oh, thank you," Emma replies with a smile. “I really appreciate that, but I'd appreciate a new school package much more.” Her voice is quieter, as are her words. She appears to be avoiding my eyes through the camera.

"Emma, I can do that," I say, smiling confidently when our eyes meet again.

Emma looks relieved when she realizes that I am not mad at her request. I try not to imagine that Father has ever made them feel terrible for requesting the most basic care.

"Maybe a pair of sandals for me?” Sadie chirps in with a lopsided smile. "I have grown out of the ones Mom bought, and the ones Emma wearing aren't much good either."

Emma nods at Sadie's words, her eyes pleading.

"I can certainly do that. I'm making a mental note to go to the bank early tomorrow morning."

"Thank you so much, Felicity," Emma says, looking like she's on the verge of tears.

I hold the phone closer to myself than ever, wishing that I could reach through it and give them the biggest hug ever.

"You're welcome, Emma, it's nothing."

"Oh, it's something," she says with a sniffle, her eyes filled with happiness.

Emma is fourteen. Even though I do not have a favorite sibling because I love them all equally, Emma has somehow always been the one that I’ve been closest to. I had looked after her when Mom and Dad would go out to work, we had done everything together. We share an unbreakable bond that I hope Emma continues to treasure as much as I do.

"You don't ever have to feel like you're doing anything wrong by asking that I get you important items that you need, all right?" I tell Emma, who nods at my words.

My youngest sibling, Amy, who looked like she had been distracted by something she appeared to be holding, an item that Mother's cellphone does not capture, looks up and grins at me.

"Felicity, I made paintings of you and me and Emma and Sadie. Wanna see?"

"I would love to!"

"She won't be able to see it from the camera," Emma tells the little girl who ignores her and runs to get the painting.

"Will you visit soon? I miss you," Emma whispers.

"I will really try," I tell her. "Or…" I say when I experience a light bulb moment. "You all could come and spend one weekend with me. We could go to the park."

"And the zoo?" Sadie asks hopefully.

"Yes!" I say, my eyes filling with tears as the images of myself and my siblings come to mind. It will be awesome to get to spend time with them.

"Great," Emma says with a grin. "We've got to go now, though," she announces.

"I will call again soon," I promise.

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