Chapter 8 - The Night Emily Finally SleptMonths passed.
Emily slowly returned to school.
She began therapy.
She stopped waking up screaming.
She started swimming again.
The first time she entered a pool, she froze.
I stood beside her.
"You don't have to."
She looked at me.
"I want to."
Sarah stood on the other side.
"Take your time."
Emily stepped into the water.
One foot.
Then another.
She smiled.
"I did it."
I laughed.
"You did."
Sarah cried quietly.
Emily didn't notice.
She was too busy swimming.
Jason's case eventually went to trial.
The evidence was overwhelming.
The recordings.
The photographs.
The financial documents.
The medical reports.
And Emily's testimony.
She didn't have to speak in front of the entire courtroom.
But she recorded a statement with a counselor.
She told the truth.
And that was enough.
Jason was convicted.
Richard was convicted as well.
The money stolen from my father's company was recovered.
A large portion was returned to the family trust.
But none of that mattered as much as seeing Emily laugh again.
One evening, she sat beside me.
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Do you remember when I told you not to look at the pool?"
"Yes."
"I'm glad you didn't."
I smiled.
"Why?"
"Because you listened to me."
I hugged her.
"You were brave."
She shook her head.
"No."
She smiled.
"You were."
I kissed her forehead.
"You saved yourself."
May you like
She leaned against me.
"We saved each other."
