Emma hated therapy at first.

“Everyone asks feelings.”

Dr. Hannah Cole smiled.

“Terrible business model, I know.”

Emma liked her despite herself.

Over months, Emma learned words.

Parentification.

Coercion.

Threat.

Responsibility.

Choice.

She learned that helping a sibling could be loving.

Being forced to perform adult caregiving was different.

One session Daniel joined.

Hannah asked Emma:

“What do you think happens if Sophie cries and you don’t help?”

Emma answered:

“She gets hurt.”

Daniel felt sick.

“Who told you that?”

“Victoria.”

Hannah asked:

“And now?”

Emma looked at Daniel.

“Dad handles it.”

“What if Dad is busy?”

“A grown-up.”

“What if no grown-up comes?”

“I call one.”

Good.

Hannah asked:

“And if Sophie is crying while you’re doing homework?”

Emma smiled slightly.

“I keep doing homework.”

Daniel laughed.

“That’s the correct answer.”

Emma looked relieved.

Permission to be a child.

That became part of recovery.

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