Emmelyn missed her daughter badly, but she suppressed her feelings because she didn't want to look weak around her travel companions. They would feel worried if they saw her sad or looking weak and she didn't want that.
To distract her mind from thinking about Harlow, Emmelyn talked to Maxim a lot. She asked him about his family, his hometown, and whatever happened to him after they were separated. Maxim explained everything lightheartedly.
He told Emmelyn that his father passed away not long after she left him. So, Maxim had to go home and take care of his family matters.
He explained that his older sisters and their husbands all tried to take over the inheritance left by his father because they all hated him.