Page 52 of Emma

“Y-yes, that’s fine.” Emma sat up straighter and curled her hand around her cold coffee. “How can I help you?”

“I believe Ms Hamilton has made you aware of a meeting I’d like to schedule with you,” Nia said. “I can confirm we’re ready to proceed with a formal discussion regarding the next steps in relation to you and Freya.”

Emma frowned. “The…meeting is going ahead?”

While she hadn’t had time to tell Ellie a meeting wouldn’t be necessary, Emma hadn’t thought this call would come through. She’d expected Carmen to go home last night and call it off herself, given how things had ended. “With everyone’s permission?”

“Yes,” Nia replied. “Following a preliminary discussion with Carmen and Ben, they’ve agreed that a facilitated conversation is in everyone’s best interests. Ellie is on board, and I believe your wife will also be present, if you’re comfortable with that.”

Emma’s fingers tightened around the mug.

Carmen had agreed to a meeting?

Emma’s throat constricted, but she swallowed down the emotion. “Yes, of course. I’m happy for anyone who should be present to be there.”

“Ellie and I thought it best if we scheduled it at your earliest convenience. We want to respect your time and your emotional well-being here.”

Emma’s lips parted. “Atmyconvenience?”

“Yes. We understand this situation has been difficult for you, and we want you to feel that you have some control over how and when we move forward. We can meet as early as next week if youfeel ready. Ellie’s offered her office, which I think is a sensible, neutral space.”

Emma nodded slowly, shocked by the turn of events. “Right. Okay. That’s…that’s sooner than I expected.”

“You’re under no pressure,” Nia assured her. “But I do want to be honest with you. Freyaisasking questions, and we believe it’s healthier to provide answers in a controlled, supported environment than to allow uncertainty to build for her. Especially since she’s the one who initiated the conversation with you.”

Emma exhaled slowly. God, she couldn’t deal with her heart constantly racing. It wasn’t healthy. “I understand.”

There was so much more she could say. So much shewantedto say. That Carmen had already been to the house. That she’d told Emma she didn’t belong. That she’d practically stormed out, leaving Emma in tears and Vanessa close to furious.

But Emma didn’t say it, and she wouldn’t. She didn’t want to make things harder, and she didn’t want to sound like she was trying to build a case.

This wasn’t about defending herself. This was about Freya, and it always would be.

“Would next Friday work for you?” Nia asked. “Ms Hamilton is free after lunch, and she’s confirmed your wife is available based on her timetable.”

Did Vanessa even know this was happening? Emma guessed not. She would have contacted Emma the moment she’d spoken with Ellie or Nia if that kind of conversation had taken place. “Yes. That’s fine.”

“Perfect. I’ll send you confirmation by email, along with a basic outline of the agenda, just so you’re prepared. We’ll be focusing on next steps—potential contact, any concerns, and how we can support Freya emotionally.”

“That’s the most important thing to me. Freya and what’s best for her.” Emma’s voice trembled, and then what Nia had said finally clicked.Potential contact. Fuck, she needed a minute to understand what was happening here. “I appreciate you reaching out.”

“I know this hasn’t been easy, Emma, but you’ve handled this with more care and restraint than many people would.”

Emma blinked back tears. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

“Well, I guess I’ll see you next week. I look forward to meeting you.”

“Yes, you too.”

Emma ended the call and sat frozen in place. Just ten minutes ago, she had been preparing herself to lose Freya for good, but now…there was hope. How? None of this made any sense.

Maybe it’s not meant to make sense right now…

Emma lowered her phone to the table and closed the mock exam file she’d been working on for the last hour. She’d already struggled to concentrate, and after that call, there was no chance it was going to get any better.

“Baby?” The front door opened, and Vanessa’s voice floated into the kitchen.

“In here.” Emma gathered her files and stacked them in one corner of the table. They didn’t work down here unless absolutely necessary, but today it had been. Emma simply couldn’t find the energy to make it up the stairs to their office.