Emma stared at the envelope.
“Why didn’t he give it to me himself?”
Elizabeth lowered her gaze.
“Because he was afraid of what it might do to you.”
Emma’s fingers tightened on the paper.
“What’s inside?”
“Read it. Then we’ll talk.”
The envelope contained several old photographs, copies of documents, a handwritten note, and a letter with her father’s known signature.
The sight of his handwriting made her throat tighten.
She unfolded the letter.
My dear Emma,
If you’re reading this, Sophie has turned eighteen. I hope she’s grown into a strong, kind young woman. I hope you’ve both found happiness, even after everything life has thrown at you.
There’s something I should have told you years ago.
When Sophie was born, Lucas’s parents came to us. They wanted the whole situation to go away. His father offered me money if I stopped asking their family to take responsibility for what had happened.I refused.
