The next morning, Damon invited Emi to co to Crimson Moon Manor to check on Priscilla’s condition.
She walked into the manor with a calm and friendly smile, greeting everyone warmly. "Good morning, Mr. Sullivan," she said, then turned to the others. "Good morning, everyone."
Carn stepped forward, gently extending her hand. "Miss Delaney, I’ve heard so much about you from Charlotte," she said with a tired smile. "She told you’ve helped her a lot. That’s why... I’m really hoping you can help my daughter too, and bring her back to the way she used to be."
Emi took Carn’s hand and gave it a soft, reassuring squeeze. "I’ll do my best, Mrs. Sullivan," she replied kindly.
Since Priscilla had difficulty speaking and sotis lashed out without warning, Carn decided to accompany Emi into the room, just in case. The others stayed outside, waiting quietly in the living room.
"Do you think Emi can really help her?" Charlotte asked in a low voice, glancing nervously at Damon.
Damon let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "Let’s hope so," he said. "That’s all we can do for now."
Inside the room, Priscilla was curled up on the bed, facing the wall. The curtains were still closed, leaving the space dim and quiet.
Carn slowly walked toward her daughter and sat down beside her, gently taking her hand. She whispered, "Priscilla, sweetheart, soone would like to see you."
Priscilla imdiately turned around. Her face was filled with fear, the kind of fear that made her look like she was facing soone who might hurt her.
"R-Ronan? Is it him?" she asked, her eyes darting around the room, searching for the shadow that had haunted her mind for days.
Even though Priscilla still couldn’t speak clearly or rember everything, she could still recall the face of the person who had caused her the most pain.
"No, it’s not him," Carn said gently. "This is Emi." She motioned softly for Emi to co closer. "She’s here to help you, dear."
Priscilla frowned, her eyes narrowing. "Help? I’m fine."
"Priscilla..." Carn let out a heavy sigh. "You’re not."
As soon as she said it, Priscilla’s entire face twisted, her expression darkening as if she might explode at any second.
That was when Emi took a careful step back. "Would you let speak to her alone?" she asked Carn calmly.
Carn hesitated, then nodded. "Please."
"Hello, Priscilla," Emi said again, her voice calm. "I’m Emi. Would it be alright if I sit here with you for a while?"
Priscilla didn’t reply. She stared at the wall, breathing slowly, her jaw clenched as she fiddled with the edge of the blanket.
Emi didn’t push her further. She sat quietly on the chair by the bed, setting her bag down beside her.
"You don’t have to talk," she said gently. "We can just sit. I’ll be quiet if that’s what you need."
A long silence followed. Emi didn’t look away, but she didn’t stare either. She simply sat with calm patience, creating a quiet space that felt safer than anything Priscilla had felt in a long ti.
After a few minutes, Priscilla finally whispered, "... you’re not like the others."
Emi gave a small nod. "No. I’m not here to judge you. I’m just here... to understand."
• • •
The session didn’t last long, barely thirty minutes, and most of it was spent in silence.
When Emi stepped out of the room, the others imdiately gathered around her. Before they could even ask, Emi spoke.
"It’s difficult to talk to her right now," she said calmly. "And with her current condition, I can’t give a proper assessnt."
Charlotte nodded. "She’s calr now. If you had co yesterday, you probably wouldn’t have been able to stay in the sa room with her."
Emi gave a small nod. "I can tell." She paused for a mont before continuing. "But even if she’s not lashing out, it’s still very hard to reach her. And honestly, I don’t think she’ll get better if she stays here."
Carn frowned. "What do you an by that?"
Emi spoke gently, choosing her words carefully. "I don’t an this in a bad way, but with her current ntal state, it would be better if she stayed in a more controlled environnt, surrounded by professionals."
She looked toward the living room, where Haven was watching TV with Vera. "It’s not just about others’ safety, it’s about hers too. She needs to be watched 24/7."
Carn’s jaw tightened. "Are you saying ... you want to put my daughter in a ntal hospital?"
Emi nodded slowly. "Right now, that would be the best choice for her."
If Priscilla kept spiraling like this, there was a real risk she could turn into a rogue werewolf. And Carn knew deep down, she couldn’t let her daughter beco a mindless monster.
"Can I have so ti to think about this?" Carn asked quietly.
"Of course," Emi said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Take as long as you need, Mrs. Sullivan. Let know when you’re ready. I trust your judgnt."
Charlotte, watching the exchange, could tell that Emi had said those last words on purpose, not just to comfort Carn, but to help her let go without guilt.
Deep down, they all knew: keeping Priscilla here out of fear might do more harm than good, especially since she could endanger everyone if she suddenly lashed out without warning.
Even Haven might no longer feel safe walking around her own ho, always afraid she could be attacked by her own family.
Carn didn’t speak for a while. She just stood there, frozen in place, eyes fixed on the hallway that led back to her daughter’s room. Her hands were shaking, and Charlotte noticed how tightly she was gripping the edge of her sweater, like she was trying to hold herself together.
Damon stepped closer but didn’t say anything. He knew there were no words that could make this easier.
Charlotte gently placed a hand on Carn’s arm. "Whatever you decide ... we’ll support you," she said softly.
Carn slowly nodded, her lips pressed together. "She’s my daughter," she whispered. "I’m supposed to protect her, not send her away."
"You’re not sending her away," Emi said kindly. "You’re giving her a chance to heal in a place that’s safe, with people who can really help her. That’s also what it ans to protect soone."
Carn looked down, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. Her voice cracked when she finally spoke. "I’m scared."
"I know," Emi replied gently. "Making an important decision is always scary."
The room fell quiet again, filled only with the faint sound of the TV playing in the background and the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.
After a few more monts, Carn took a deep breath and wiped her tears. Her voice was still shaky, but steadier than before.
"I need to talk to her one more ti," she said. "Before I make my decision."
Emi nodded. "Of course. Take all the ti you need."
"I should talk to her as well," said Diana before she followed her mother quietly.
Carn turned and slowly walked back toward Priscilla’s room, her steps heavy but full of determination. Whatever happened next, she knew she had to face it for Priscilla’s sake.
After that, Damon and Charlotte walked Emi to the front door.
Before stepping outside, Emi looked at Charlotte with a gentle expression. "How have you been lately, Charlotte? I haven’t gotten a call from you in the past two days."
Charlotte scratched the back of her neck. "I’m still managing, it’s not that bad." She paused, then added, "I’ve just ... had a few things to deal with, so I haven’t had the chance to reach out to you."
Aside from her trip to Suncrest City, Charlotte also had to reread her scripts, since she would soon return to the filming location to continue the work she had put on hold.
Emi gave her a knowing look. "Work, life, and emotional chaos all at once, huh?"
Charlotte let out a small laugh. "Sothing like that."
Damon quietly stepped aside to give them a mont, standing by the door as Emi and Charlotte lingered just outside.
"You don’t have to explain yourself to ," Emi said gently. "But if it ever gets too heavy, you know I’m just one call away."
Charlotte nodded, her smile soft but grateful. "I know. Thank you, Emi."
""You’ve co a long way, Charlotte," Emi added, her voice low and sincere. "I can see the difference in you. You’re stronger, calr. You’ve truly gone beyond my expectations."
Charlotte smiled. "I could never have gotten this far without you ... and the people around ."
Emi nodded, then said, "But, Charlotte ... there’s still one thing you need to face before you can truly find peace."
Charlotte froze.
She had been trying to forget about it. She pushed it to the back of her mind, hoping it would disappear on its own. But now that Emi brought it up again, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.
"You need to tell your parents about all this," Emi said gently. "If you keep avoiding it, then you’re not healing, you’re just running away from your pain."
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