Everything began to make sense.
Harold had found out.
Recently.
And instead of hiding from it… he had tried to make things right.
At the bottom of the box, I found one last letter.
My name was written on it.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
My Margaret,
Emily was born before I met you. I was young and afraid… and I made the worst mistake of my life. I walked away.
I told myself it was for the best. That I had nothing to offer. But the truth is—I was a coward.
When Lily wrote to me, I realized I had been given one last chance to face what I had done.
But it was too late to ask Emily for forgiveness.
She was gone.
Lily is all that’s left.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell you. I was afraid of hurting you… afraid of losing you.
But I trust you more than anyone.
Please… don’t let my past destroy her future.
She’s just a child. Alone in the world.
If you can find it in your heart… love her.
For me.
—Harold
I don’t know how long I sat there.
Minutes.
Maybe hours.
I cried until I had nothing left in me.
Not just for Harold.
But for the young man he once was.
The mistake he carried for a lifetime.
The daughter he never held.
