Lauras peace was shattered once again.
One morning, the door of her cosy cottage swung open abruptly, and there stood a young womantall, slender, with striking eyes and a defiant stare. Laura recognised her instantly. It was Emily, her younger niece, the one shed left behind in a childrens home years ago.
“Auntie,” Emily said sharply, arms crossed. “Ive been looking for you. They told me you lived here.” Her voice was steady, her gaze piercing. Laura invited her in, offering tea, but Emily refused, choosing to stand in the middle of the room instead.
“Do you even remember me?” she asked bluntly, glancing around. “Im Emily. The little girl you abandoned.”
Laura nodded silently, her heart tightening with old guilt. Memories rushed backof a troubled, difficult child, impossible to handle.
“Why did you do it?” Emily pressed, stepping closer, fists clenched. Laura could see the cracks in her confidence, the vulnerability beneath the tough exterior. “I was your own flesh and blood!”
“Because I had no choice,” Laura answered quietly. “I couldnt take care of both of you. Sophie needed me more.”
Emilys face twisted with hurt. “So you chose her over me? Just threw me away like rubbish?” Her voice trembled, raw with emotion. After all these years, Laura was finally facing the consequences of her decision.
“I want money,” Emily said coldly. “For what you did. Compensation.”
Lauras inner turmoil deepened. Looking at this self-assured young woman, she saw the scars of loneliness and resentment that would never fade.
“How much?” Laura asked softly, fighting back tears.
Emily named a figureenough to strain Lauras modest income. A heavy silence hung between them before Laura finally relented. “Alright.” She *did* feel guilty. Maybe money could ease her conscience. And part of her feared what Emily might do to Sophie if she refused.
This story had begun long ago, when Lauras younger sister got involved with a dangerous mana whirlwind of alcohol, bad decisions, and unexpected consequences. Then came Sophiebright, joyful, endlessly curious. She spent so much time with Laura that she became like a daughter. Laura taught her to read, to paint, took her to the parktried to give her the childhood she deserved.
But fate had other plans. Five years later, another baby arrivedEmily. From the start, she was troubledspeech delays, tantrums, anger simmering beneath the surface. While Sophie was calm and easy, Emily was a storm. The strain broke their parents. Drink took over, the arguments grew louder, and eventually, social services stepped in.
Laura was given a cruel choice: take both girls or neither. Her heart split in two. She wanted Sophieloved her, knew her. But Emily? A stranger, a challenge. Could she really handle both?
After agonising, Laura chose Sophie. Selfish, maybe. But necessary. She fought for custody, and Sophie came home. Emily stayed behind, forgotten.
Years passed. Sophie grew up happy. Laura never looked back.
Until now.
Emilys sudden return brought joy at firstbut it was quickly overshadowed by new burdens. Money, emotional demands, the unsettling shift in Lauras quiet life. Old wounds reopened. Boundaries blurred.
Laura had lost her peace all over again.
