I went into the forest with my father. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and said, “Finally, we’re alone. Come here, let me kiss you. I’ve wanted to do this for so long.” I recoiled from him in horror. But my father came closer, took me by the shoulders, and whispered, “Don’t be afraid, darling. Your mother will never know what happened between us.” I started shaking. And when he said, “I’ve waited 19 years for this moment,” I froze in fear…

I looked at him in horror.

• Dad… what is this?

He took the ring.

— It belonged to a woman I loved very much.

It felt like the ground was slipping out from under my feet.

— Who was she?

Father was silent for a long time.

• Your mother.

I looked at him in confusion.

• But mom is alive.

— I’m talking about your biological mother, Emily.

I was numb.

• What…?

The father lowered his head.

“You weren’t born to Margaret. You were born to a woman named Catherine .”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

He continued:

“Catherine was my first wife. We were very young. She died a few days after you were born.”

I started crying.

• Then why did you never tell me about it?

“Because Margaret raised you from the age of two months. She loved you as if you were her own daughter.