My chest tightened as I watched her stage this little performance. “These are designer gowns,” she said, unzipping one bag to reveal expensive fabric. “The kind you girls could never afford. And there’s cash here too. Enough to change your lives.”
Emma’s hands found Clara’s, and they held tight.
“Why?” I asked, my voice rough. “Why now? After 18 years?”
Lauren smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Because I want my daughters back. I want to give them the life they deserve.”
She pulled out a folded document and placed it on top of the envelope. “But there’s one condition.”
The room felt smaller suddenly, like the walls were closing in.
“What condition?” Emma asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Lauren’s smile widened. “It’s simple, darling. You can have all of this… the gowns, the money, everything. But you have to choose ME over your father.”
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