Content Warning: This section mentions undiagnosed mental health, anxiety, PTSD, narcissistic tendencies, and past child neglect.

Throughout the events of the novel, Emma and Justin are confronted with instances in which they must choose between exercising empathy or anger. Emma has long since decided that she’ll always choose empathy. Her childhood with Amber and her career as a nurse have given her a well-rounded perspective on the wide array of experiences and circumstances individuals endure. Her knowledge prevents her from making assumptions based on limited information.

Emma speaks about this perspective with many people throughout the novel, including Justin, Sarah, and Maddy. When others question her kindness and forgiveness toward Amber, Emma answers that she doesn’t “know what it was like to be [Amber]. A single mom at eighteen, no money, no family. She struggled. She still struggles. But she loves [Emma] and she never doubted that for a second no matter what [Amber] did” (90). By practicing empathy for her mother, Emma is able to reframe the pain and neglect she suffered as a child as the unfortunate outcomes of her mother’s best efforts rather than as deliberate harm or lack of care.