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,’

I looked at the ring.

“Is that her wedding ring?”

“Yes.”

But something was still troubling me.

“Then why did you want to kiss me? Why were you talking that way?”

My father lowered his head.

“I chose my words terribly, sweetheart. I wanted to give you your mother’s ring today and kiss your forehead the way she used to when you were a baby. But I was so emotional that I didn’t realize how frightening my words sounded.”

I remained silent.

He continued:

“And when I said I’d waited nineteen years, I meant this moment. The day I could finally tell you about Catherine.”

I looked at him through my tears.

“Then why didn’t Mom want me to know?”

My father gave a sad smile.

“Because she was afraid of losing you.”

At that moment, we heard footsteps coming down the forest trail.

We turned around.