But when he finally spoke, the words were completely different.
“Mama had a child she never told us about,” he said, voice hoarse. “Before she died… she told me I had a sister I’ve never met. And I’ve been looking for her for months.”
It felt like the air had been punched out of my chest.
“What… what do you mean?” I whispered.
He swallowed hard.
“I have a half-sister, Mia. Her name is Aira. I found her. She grew up with nothing. No family. No support. Mama left her. And I’ve been helping her quietly because I… I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want you to think I was hiding another woman. Or hiding more secrets from you. I thought… if I messed this up, I might lose you, too.”
His eyes were red now, the words spilling out like a dam had burst.
