When he finally looked at me again, he seemed exhausted.
“That came out completely wrong. I’m sorry.”
“Then tell me what you mean.”
Ethan looked toward Lily.
**“There’s something you need to know about me.”**
I stared at him.
“Something I should have told you a long time ago.”
“How long?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
“I kept convincing myself it didn’t matter.”
Then he looked at our daughter again.
**“Now it matters.”**
“Ethan, please. Just tell me.”
“I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
He took a shaky breath.
“I’ve been afraid to tell you for four years. But after seeing Lily, I can’t keep pretending this part of my past doesn’t exist.”
Before he could explain, the hospital-room door opened.
I expected Nurse Stella.
