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 Pulled Away in Terror. But My Father Stepped Closer, Took Me by the Shoulders, and Whispered, ‘Don’t Be Afraid, Sweetheart. Your Mother Will Never Know What Happened Between Us.’ I Started Trembling. And When He Said, ‘I’ve Been Waiting 19 Years for This Moment,’ - Page 5

“Has your father taken you to the old wooden bench?”

I froze.

“Yes… but how do you know about that?”

My mother was silent for several seconds.

Then she whispered:

“Emily, if your father wants to kiss you, please don’t let him until I get there.”

I could barely breathe.

“Mom, WHAT IS GOING ON?”

She answered:

“The very thing I’ve been afraid of for nineteen years.”

The call suddenly disconnected.

I looked at my father.

“What have you two been hiding from me?”

My father sat down on the bench.

Tears filled his eyes.

“Emily, sit down. It’s time you knew everything.”

My father opened the velvet box.
Inside was a gold ring.

I stared at him in horror.

“Dad… what is this?”

He picked up the ring.

“It belonged to a woman I loved very much.”

I felt the ground disappear beneath my feet.

“Who was she?”