saw a pattern stretching across generations.
“Every man who loved a woman in my family decided what she was allowed to know.”
Both men stared at me.
“William decided for my mother.”
I looked at him.
“You decided she would either accept what you wanted or lose everything.”
Then I thought about Grandpa.
“My grandfather loved me more than anyone.”
My voice softened.
“But he still decided which parts of my own childhood I was allowed to remember.”
Then I turned toward Caleb.
“And you.”
His eyes filled.
“You decided when I deserved the truth.”
I shook my head.
“You let your father decide the terms of my life.”
“Emily…”
“You told yourself it was love.”
I swallowed.
“But deciding for someone because you think you know what’s best is still deciding for them.”
Caleb looked down at Nora.
“She has my eyes.”
“She does.”
His voice barely came out.
“
