Part 2: Before my husband passed away, he asked me to deliver a sealed letter to a woman I'd never met — after she read the first line, she looked at me and asked, "Did he tell you everything?"

Catherine's living room was warm and bright.

Family photographs covered the walls.

A grandfather clock ticked beside the fireplace.

Everything looked ordinary.

Safe.

But nothing about the conversation was ordinary.

"Where did you get the DNA test?" I asked.

Catherine opened the folder.

"Rebecca agreed to provide a sample after Zane found her last year. Emily provided one too."

I looked at the report.

The conclusion stated that the two women had a biological relationship consistent with mother and daughter.

I read it again.

Then a third time.

My chest tightened.

"Does Emily know?"

Catherine shook her head.

"Zane said he wanted to tell her himself."

I closed my eyes.

My husband had known for a year.

Possibly longer.

He'd allowed me to watch Emily graduate from college.

Celebrate her birthdays.

Plan her wedding.

All while carrying a secret that concerned the very beginning of her life.

I looked at Catherine.