Just as she was settling in, Linda called her urgently, “Emma, you need to come home.” Emma arrived to find their house in ruins from a fire caused by Jacob’s reckless party. Confrontation and Change Facing her devastated parents, Emma couldn’t hide her frustration. Her father admitted, “I should never have kicked you out. This is all my fault.” Emma agreed to help but insisted, “I won’t be treated like a second-class citizen in my own family.”
Emma’s Room is Taken Emma was called home from university by her father. When she arrived, she discovered her stepbrother Jacob needed her room. Her father said, “Jacob’s going to be staying with us for a while. His old room is now Linda’s office, so he’ll be taking yours.” Despite her protests, she was told, “You can stay on campus.” Feeling betrayed, Emma packed her things and moved into a cramped dorm. New Beginnings Emma struggled but managed to secure a better job and rent a small apartment.
