As I sat there, staring at the box that held the secrets of a man I thought I knew, I felt a mix of emotions: fear, curiosity, betrayal, and love. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel Michael’s eyes on me, waiting for my reaction.
I looked at the box, then at my son, and finally at Vanessa, who was biting her lip, clearly anxious about what was about to unfold. The house was silent, save for the ticking of the clock on the wall, a reminder that time was moving forward, even if I felt stuck in this moment.
“Michael,” I said softly, trying to find my voice, “why now? Why couldn’t you tell me sooner?”
