All I’d wanted was the truth. And now that I had it, I was too exhausted to hold onto anything else.
There was a long silence before I spoke again.
“Of course.
I want that too.”
That weekend, we drove out together. Mia chattered the whole way from the back seat, her legs swinging as she told about the porcelain dolls and the swing in the garden. I didn’t say much.
I was still trying to make peace with everything I had nearly walked away from.
As we pulled into the driveway, Mia unbuckled herself before the car even came to a full stop.
“Rachel!” she squealed as the front door opened as if on cue.
Rachel stepped out onto the porch.
She crouched to catch Mia in a hug, her smile wide and easy.
I got out of the car slowly, unsure of what to expect. I wasn’t ready to trust her… but I was ready to meet her.
She looked up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her face softened.
“You must be Hannah,” she said, stepping forward.
“I am.”
She held out her hand. I hesitated for only a second before I took it. Her grip wasn’t pushy or overly tight.
It was just… warm and real.
“I wasn’t sure I’d say that today,” I said awkwardly. “But…
it’s nice to meet you too, Rachel.”
Inside, the house smelled of freshly baked goods and something floral — maybe lavender. Mia ran ahead, already tugging my hand toward the room she’d talked about all week.
There it was: the dollhouse, the blanket, and the bookshelf full of bedtime stories I hadn’t picked out.
Everything matched her drawing.
David stood beside me. He didn’t say anything.
He just placed a hand at the small of my back. I didn’t move away.
Not yet.
Because not all secrets are betrayals. Some are just truths we’re not ready to face.
And sometimes, the truth doesn’t break you.
Sometimes, it makes you whole.
