The evening before Caroline's expected discharge from the hospital, the Braddock family engaged in a vital conversation. Benjamin Braddock wasted no time in proposing, "She should come home with us."

"I don't want to come home. I want to stay with Sam," Caroline says, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I want her to come home. I can take care of her and ensure her safety," Amelia Braddock insists, interrupting her daughter. "It's been a year since we've seen her, she is my daughter. I would like to take her to the family house."

Caroline tries to protest, but her words go unheard. It's Sam who steps in, saying, "It's not up to either of you where Caroline goes. The decision is hers to make. Caroline, where do you want to go?"

Caroline casts a soft and grateful smile at Sam before articulating her thoughts. "Sam mentioned that he has an unoccupied room in his apartment, and I'd like to stay with him. His building has safety measures in place, so I won't have to worry about my well-being when he's away. However, I need a space that's exclusively my own, and you're welcome to visit anytime."

Taking a step towards the hospital bed, Sam glances at his sister and then his parents. "I'd be thrilled to have her. Caroline can have the master bedroom with a reading nook by the window, her own closet, and bathroom. I'll assist in painting and decorating the room according to her preferences." Unexpressed, Sam knew that having Caroline in his apartment would make it feel like a genuine home—rather than just a temporary living space.

In a sad tone, Caroline conveys, "I don't possess many things. He destroyed everything that held value to me. And I left behind the little things, my clothing, shoes, and bathroom essentials that I had left behind. I'll start working as soon as possible to replace everything."

"There's no reason to worry about that," assures the senior Braddock. "We will support you in acquiring anything you require, and we will assist you in adjusting to your brother's home."

"All you need to do is focus on becoming healthier, both physically and mentally," Sam adds. "We'll take things slow and proceed from there, alright?"

"Okay," Caroline consents.

—- —- —-

At nine in the morning the next day, the four Braddock family members arrived at Sam's apartment. Amelia carried a bag of baked goods, while Benjamin held a small bag of brand new clothes that they had bought the previous night. Sam's apartment was spacious and airy, with the kitchen being the first room that greeted them upon arrival. The kitchen was generously sized and featured an island in the center of the room, with no table but instead a few chairs. The living room had large windows that offered a stunning view of the city. The hallway had a closet for the washer and dryer, a small pantry, a bathroom and two bedrooms; the first bedroom would be Sam's room and the second bedroom would belong to Caroline, the master bedroom. "Thank you for letting me stay in here," she murmured softly, trailing her older brother into the master bedroom. Their parents hung back in the kitchen, wanting to give Caroline some space.

Sam's team had worked overnight on the room and transformed it. Now it boasted a plush new queen-size mattress, a nightstand on either side, a brand-new black comforter and sheet set with a cozy throw covered in sunflowers, and across from the bed sat a brand-new dresser with a TV on top of it. Sam grinned at Caroline's reaction to the revamped space. "This is just the beginning," Sam said cheerfully, beaming at Caroline. "Team One helped me get everything set up, and Jules even picked out everything in the bathroom just for you.I hope you still like sunflowers. And later, if you want, we could go to the store so you can get anything else you need or want. Nothing is off the table."

Caroline looked at him in surprise. "When did you have the time to put all of this together?"

"I stayed up late working on it while you were asleep. Mom was out shopping for clothes for you, and Dad stayed with you," Sam replied, smiling reassuringly at his sister. Caroline let out a heavy sigh and moved to her brother's side, embracing him tightly. Without thinking, Sam hugged her back, relief flooding through him. "I'm so glad you're safe," he murmured softly. "I'm so happy you are here."

She murmured him a thank you before whispering, "I have something to tell everyone before they leave. Can we go back to them?"

"Of course, lead the way."

As they return to the kitchen, the youngest Braddock family member settles onto a barstool at the island. Breaking the silence, she looks to her parents and begins, "There's something important I need to say before we part ways." Pausing briefly, she continues, "I've decided to go by my middle name or nickname from now on. Caroline is just too painful for me right now. I don't want to talk about what happened, not just yet, but he used my name against me. And I would like to be called by middle or nickname for now."

Amelia can't help but show her surprise as she asks, "What do you mean?"

With a deep sigh, the girl meets the eye of each family member before her. "I'd like to be called Emerson, or Emmy. Maybe someday I'll reclaim my first name, but for now, I just need a change."

"Absolutely," Sam is the first to respond. "That's an easy fix. That is an easy thing to do. I'm the one who gave you that nickname anyways." He looks to his parents, hoping that they would say yes to her request.

"Of course," Amelia and Benjamin nod in agreement. "Anything we can do to help you."