Page 76 of Broken Secrets
My stomach drops. “Mom threatened legal action?”
“She threatened to help Emma file for emancipation or help me get custody if Lilly follows through on cutting off her college funding. She also mentioned that she has eighteen years’ worth of support payments from me that could be used to help Emma with college expenses if necessary.”
“She can do that?”
“Legally, yes. Practically, it would be expensive and complicated and potentially damaging to Emma’s relationship with her mother forever.”
“How did Lilly react?”
“According to Emma, her mom spent most of yesterday crying and making phone calls to family members asking for advice. By evening, she’d backed down from the ultimatum. She’s still not happy about the situation, but she’s agreed not to cut off Emma’s financial support.”
“So Mom essentially scared her into backing down.”
“Your mom can be very persuasive when she’s protecting someone she cares about.”
I think about Mom’s intense cooking yesterday, her tight bun, her cryptic comments about taking care of Lilly. It makes more sense now; she was dealing with the stress of having made major threats on Emma’s behalf.
“Is Emma okay with that? Having my mom fight her battles?”
“She’s relieved that the immediate crisis is over, but she’s also worried about the long term implications. Her relationship with her mother is going to be complicated going forward.”
“Because of me.”
“Because of choices Lilly made about how to handle this situation. You didn’t create this problem, Olivia. You just gave everyone an opportunity to show their true colors.”
We finish our drinks and Jeremy pays the check, despite my protests. As we walk out of the restaurant onto the pier, the afternoon sun is warm on our faces and the ocean breeze carries the scent of salt and seaweed.
“Want to show me around town?” Jeremy asks. “I’d like to see some of the places that were important to you growing up.”
We spend the next hour walking through downtown, with me pointing out the elementary school I attended, the ice cream shop where Derek and I had our first unofficial date, the bookstore where Mom used to take me for story time when I was little. Jeremy listens to every story, asks questions about details, seems genuinely interested in understanding the world that shaped me.
At the beach overlook where I used to come to think when I was upset about something, we stop and lean against the railing. The view stretches for miles—sandy beaches, rocky outcroppings, waves that roll in with hypnotic rhythm.
“This is beautiful,” Jeremy says. “I can see why your mom chose to build a life here.”
“It’s home. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“Even for college?”
“I’m looking at schools within driving distance. UC Santa Barbara, maybe San Diego. I want to be able to come home on weekends, see my family.”
“Your family,” Jeremy repeats. “Does that include me and Emma now?”
I consider the question. A week ago, family meant Mom and Robert and the stable life they’d built together. Now it’s more complicated, broader, including people I barely know but feel connected to in ways I’m still figuring out.
“I think so. It’s going to take time to figure out how everyone fits together, but yes. I think you’re family now.”
Jeremy’s smile is brighter than the afternoon sun. “I like that very much.”
We walk back toward the parking lot as the afternoon starts to wind down. Jeremy pulls out his phone when we reach his rental car.
“Would you mind if we took a photo together? I know it’s silly, but I’d like to have something to remember this day.”
“It’s not silly at all.”
We stand together with the ocean behind us, Jeremy holding his phone at arm’s length to get us both in the frame. I lean against his shoulder slightly, and for the first time in my life, I’m posing for a photo with my biological father.
“Got it,” he says, showing me the screen. “We look good together.”
