Then I reached the final paragraph.
Emily, if you are reading this, I hope you understand that the people who remained silent were not necessarily the people who wanted to hurt you. Sometimes people stay silent because they are afraid. Sometimes they stay silent because they are ashamed. And sometimes they stay silent because they believe the truth will destroy the people they love.
I lowered the letter.
Sarah was watching me.
“Your uncle told you about my mother?”
“Yes.”
“He believes my mother was hurt by your father.”
“He said he didn’t know the whole story.”
Sarah nodded slowly.
“Neither do I. That’s why I wanted to find you.”
She opened the envelope again and showed me the photograph.
It was the same one Richard had shown me, but the back contained a handwritten note.
For the two girls who deserved better than the secrets we left them.
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