Blackwood Penthouse - Wednesday Morning - 9:47 AM
Emily woke with swollen eyes and a strange sense of peace. Last night's conversation with Scholar Chen had been emotionally devastating, but it had also given her something precious: real memories of her parents beyond the vague impressions she'd carried for three years.
Timothy was already awake, working quietly on his laptop in bed so as not to disturb her. When he noticed her stirring, he set the laptop aside.
"How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
"Raw," Emily admitted. "But good. Like I know them better now. Like they're more real to me than they've been in years."
"Scholar Chen said he'd call this morning," Timothy reminded her. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Emily said. She got out of bed, washed her face, and dressed in comfortable clothes. This wasn't a business call or a strategic planning session. This was family history. Personal memory. She wanted to be comfortable.
