Emma’s childhood had been a tough row to hoe.
Back in the day, her mom had taken her own life, and Simon had turned a blind eye to her struggles.
The internet wasn't the beast it was now, but in a small town like theirs, gossip spread like wildfire. Her classmates got wind of her family drama and gave her the cold shoulder, branding her as the "orphan girl".
Fast forward to now, and it felt like their family's dirty laundry was being aired for all to see. Every nitty-gritty detail was out there, with rumors flying left and right!
Poor Sera was only eight; how could a kid that young wrap her head around all this?
So, Emma didn't hold it against Sera for how she reacted. Instead, Emma was eaten up with guilt.
She kicked herself for not paying more attention to her daughter and for not
