“Ask me anything, Liza.”
“I haven’t looked at it in years.”
“Did Diane know?”
“Yes.”
“Then show me.”
“I don’t think it’ll help.”
“Then why are you afraid of me seeing it?”
“Then show me.”
That stopped him.
Ben signed into an old email account and found the exchange.
Claire’s message was short.
She didn’t want money. She wanted to know where she came from and whether he’d meet her once.
I looked up.
“She made it easy for you.”
I looked up.
Ben swallowed.
“I was scared.”
Then I saw the reply beneath it.
From him.
“I think it’s better if we leave the past where it is. I can’t be the father you’re looking for, Claire.”
I looked at Ben.
“You told me you didn’t answer.”
“I can’t be the father you’re looking for, Claire.”
“I lied.”
