“But beneath them was something uglier.”
He swallowed.
“I loved the life the lie gave me.”
I closed my eyes.
Our marriage.
Our daughter.
Our house.
Thirty-four years.
He had been terrified truth would take it.
“And every year I kept quiet, I had more to lose.”
His voice cracked.
“I chose my fear over your right to know.”
No excuse.
Just fact.
Then:
“I don't know what you will call me after this.”
“Coward.”
“Husband.”
“Liar.”
“Someone who loved you.”
“Maybe all of them.”
I cried.
He smiled sadly.
“Please don't make me simpler than I was.”
That line hurt because it was true.
Then:
“But don't make me better either.”
Also true.
The video ended.
Nobody spoke.
Finally Emily said:
“Well.”
We looked at her.
“Dad really knew how to ruin a room after death.”
Rebecca laughed.
Then Catherine.
Then me.
We laughed until we cried.
Maybe that was Zane's final gift.
