“So did you. You just thought seeing me meant standing in front of me.”
The truth of it hurt.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“I spent my life promising to protect you.”
“You did protect me.”
“Not always.”
“No one can always.”
She reached for my hand.
“You told me I would always have you and Ben.”
“I remember.”
“You were right.”
Across the lawn, Ben called her name.
Rosie smiled and started toward him.
Then she turned back.
“Claire?”
“Yes?”
“You have us too.”
She walked into the warm evening light, toward the husband who had loved her since childhood and the children she had nearly died bringing into the world.
I remained on the dock for a moment, listening to laughter move across the water.
My family had been built from lies.
Altered names.
Hidden bodies.
Stolen records.
Broken laws.
And promises made by frightened people who confused secrecy with love.
But the truth had not destroyed us.
