Chapter 190: End Of The Dream
Back when her father had been battling cancer, he and Emily had had a talk once. It was in the middle of the night. Back when Emily was still able to sleep, so it was unusual for her to be up at night.
Back then, her reason for being awake had been something innocent. A childish need for something sweet in the middle of the night. So she had gotten out of her bed in search of something to eat.
But once she had arrived at the kitchen. It had not been empty as she had been anticipating. Her father had been there, sitting in the dark, and upon noticing Emily, he had beckoned her closer.
Being a dad and not wanting her to worry, the man had hastily wiped at his face. But it had been too late. Emily had already seen the tears there.
"Why are you crying, Daddy?" She had asked. And he had smiled at her.
"Oh, it is nothing sweetheart. Do not let this old man disturb you. Just go about doing what you were doing," He had continued to smile even as a lone tear had made its way down her cheek.
"I will be leaving this kitchen shortly. Your mother might worry if she wakes up and I am not there," He had said. But Emily, with all the stubbornness of a nine year old, had refused to budge.
"Are you scared?’She had asked instead.
"And why would I be scared, sweetheart?" Her dad had asked.