Monday Morning - 8:34 AM
Emily woke feeling slightly more rested but no less anxious. Today was preparation day. Tonight, Scholar Chen would arrive and they'd spend the evening going over everything...what to say to Clara, how to present the evidence, how to respond to skeptical questions.
"Today is a rest day," Timothy announced over breakfast. "No obligations, no stress. We stay in the hotel, you relax, and tonight we prepare with Scholar Chen. That's it."
"I can't just relax," Emily protested. "The meeting with Clara is tomorrow. I need to..."
"You need to not exhaust yourself with anxiety," Timothy interrupted firmly. "Emily, you've been preparing for weeks. You know your family history. You have evidence. You have Scholar Chen's support. Obsessing over it for one more day won't help. What will help is staying calm and well-rested so you can think clearly tomorrow."
Emily knew he was right, but that didn't make it easier to just sit around waiting.
