stared at the floor.
Finally, she whispered,
“Because eventually it hurt less to believe you rejected me than to admit I was too ashamed to knock on your door.”
Nobody spoke.
That answer was ugly.
But it was honest.
Part 7 — What the Letters Changed—and What They Didn’t
Ava broke the silence first.
“Finding the letters changed one thing.”
Vanessa looked at her.
“What?”
Ava’s voice was calm.
“I don’t think you forgot we existed.”
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Claire continued.
“But remembering us is not the same as raising us.”
Vanessa nodded immediately.
“I know.”
June stepped beside me.
“Dad is still Dad.”
Her arm slipped through mine.
“Nothing changes that.”
Vanessa looked at the three women.
“I’m not asking you to call me Mom.”
“Good,” June said.
For the first time that night, Vanessa almost smiled.
It lasted less than a second.
“Could I ask for something smaller?”
