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 walked toward him.

“Dad…”

He looked at me.

“Can I hug you now?”

I wrapped my arms tightly around him.

He gently kissed my forehead.

And in that moment, I finally understood why he had wanted to bring me there.

Six months have passed since that day.

I keep Catherine’s ring in a special jewelry box.

And I love Margaret more than ever.

One afternoon, I asked her:

“Mom, why were you so frightened when you found out Dad had taken me into the forest?”

She smiled sadly.

“Because I thought that once you learned the truth, you’d never call me Mom again.”

I hugged her.

“You’ve given me nineteen years of a mother’s love. No truth could ever change that.”

That evening, the three of us returned to the forest.

My father stopped beside the old bench.

I took his hand.

“Dad, remember how frightened I was when you told me to come closer so you could kiss me?”