My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 953

An uneasy silence settled over the living room.

“I’m not going to acknowledge them.”

Emily Blair’s voice was quiet but resolute.

Emma George immediately looked up at her, eyes wide. “W-Why not? Why wouldn’t you?”

Emily met her gaze. “If I have to choose between being their real daughter or being yours, I’d rather be your daughter.”

Emma stared at her, momentarily stunned.

When she finally processed what Emily had said, tears welled up in her eyes. “But why? You’re giving up so much. Their family is wealthy—they could give you everything you ever wanted. Don’t be foolish.”

Emily’s expression remained cool and unwavering. “I said I wouldn’t, and I won’t.”

“But why?” Emma pressed, voice trembling.

Emily hesitated, wondering if she should tell Emma the cruel things Isabella Austin’s parents had said to her. If her birth parents had never spoken to her that way, or if she’d never met them, maybe she would have considered it. But now, knowing that her own parents saw her as a rival—and treated her rival as their beloved daughter—she could never bring herself to grovel for their affection.

After a moment’s pause, she simply said, “You raised me. You’re the only mother I’ll ever acknowledge.”

Emma’s tears spilled over. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing. “I was so afraid to tell you the truth. I thought if you ever found out I wasn’t your real mother, you’d hate me, or leave me, or never want to see me again.”

Emma frowned. “But didn’t you say her real father is your mentor? Wasn’t he very well-off?”

Emily replied, “Technically, that would make her his illegitimate child. So, if she had to choose between being the heiress of the Austins or being the secret child of a wealthy man and a poor woman, who do you think she’d pick?”

She wasn’t lying; in fact, Emily was certain that if Isabella Austin ever learned the truth, she’d do everything in her power to silence Emma, to make sure she disappeared altogether. Emily was saying this out of genuine concern for Emma’s safety.

She could see it clearly: Isabella, and her parents, despised both her and Emma George. If Emma tried to force the truth on them now, there would be no gratitude—only disgust.

Emma bent over, her voice barely above a whisper. “Let me think about it…”

Emily thought for a moment, then added softly, “You’re Isabella’s aunt. Of course you want her to have a good life. And the truth is, she’s living a good life with the Austins. You should be at peace with that—and let go. This is the best possible outcome for both me and her. Forcing things to change now would only throw everyone’s life into chaos.”