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“What baby?” Nora asked.
“Mom’s pregnant,” I said, laughing.
“Liar.”
“I am pregnant,” Mother said.
Nora nodded. “Great. Well, good for you. I’ll go. Emilie, please be happy. You deserve to be happy. I hope we can get together and catch up.”
She gave me a hug and was about to leave when my father got to his feet. “Stop,” he commanded.
Nora sighed. “What?”
“Stay.” He gestured to her usual spot. “Get my daughter a plate,” he ordered a servant.
“You want me to stay?” Nora asked.
“Yes, please.”
“Stay,” I said, smiling. “We should all talk.”
Apologies were exchanged, heartfelt and raw. My parents acknowledged the pain they had caused, the expectations that had shackled us, and the years of stifling tradition.
Nora offered her own apology for leaving without explanation, for abandoning me when I needed her most.
As we sat around, the mood lightened, and we actually talked. Nora told us all about her adventure with her boyfriend. It was as if a weight had been lifted, and for the first time in years, we were truly happy.
We ended up in the study, sitting in front of a fireplace drinking hot chocolate like we used to. My parents went to bed, leaving me and Nora alone.
“Tell me more about Theo,” Nora said. “Don’t tell me there’s nothing to tell because I saw that interview. You gutted him.”
I groaned. “I know. Don’t remind me. I have not been able to watch it. I can’t believe I said those things. I felt like I was possessed. I saw the look on his face after the interview. It has haunted me since it happened.”
“Did you apologize?”
“Yes, but after I stabbed him in the back, he wasn’t exactly in a listening mood.”
“Have you talked to him since you left?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“You love him?”
A tear slipped from the corner of my eye. “I do.”
“Has he officially called off the match?”
“No. At least they didn’t know anything about it being called off.”
“Then there’s hope,” she said, smiling. “There’s hope he will change his mind. He was hurt and lashing out when he ended things. It doesn’t mean he meant it. If he did, then it wasn’t love.”
Nora’s words filled me with renewed hope. Maybe she was right. Maybe Theo still loved me and just needed some time to heal. I took a deep breath and made a decision.
“I’ll call him,” I said. “Not now because I want to give him a little more time. I still have a couple of days before the next session. If he doesn’t break the match before then, there’s hope.”
“Even if he does, there’s hope,” she said. “Love is worth fighting for. Trust me.”
I smiled at Nora, grateful for her support and encouragement. She was right. Love was worth fighting for, and I was ready to fight for Theo.
