“That’s not the same as hiding that she existed.”
“I know.”
“Did you agree with him?”
“No.”
“Then why keep the promise?”
Daniel’s expression softened.
“Because you were happy.”
I almost snapped at him.
Then I saw he wasn’t defending himself.
He was explaining.
Badly, perhaps.
But sincerely.
“You’d already lost your mother,” he said. “Your dad had heart problems. We were planning the wedding. Claire was someone you’d apparently forgotten. Your father begged me not to reopen something he believed was over.”
“So you decided for me.”
“Yes.”
At least he didn’t pretend otherwise.
“And fifteen years later?”
“I regretted it many times.”
“But not enough to tell me.”
“No.”
The honesty hurt.
Stephen broke the silence.
“Where is your mother?”
Daniel looked at him.
“Assisted living.”
“Could we speak with her?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Her memory comes and goes.”
“Would she remember Claire?”
“Oh, yes.”
That answer came immediately.
