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 remained silent.

He continued:

“And when I said I’d been waiting nineteen years, I meant this very moment. The day when I can finally tell you about Catherine.”

I looked at him through tears.

• Then why didn’t mom want me to find out?

Father smiled sadly.

• Because she was afraid of losing you.

At that moment we heard footsteps on the forest path.

We turned around.

It was my mother.

Seeing us, she stopped.

Her eyes were full of tears.

• Robert…

Father stood up.

— I told her everything.

Mom came up to me.

• Emily, I need to confess something to you.

She sat down next to me.

— Katherine was my best friend.

I stared at her in amazement.

— Were you acquainted?

“We grew up together. Even before you were born, Katherine asked me: if anything ever happened to her, I should make sure you were never alone.”