I sat in silence, absorbing the revelation, the enormity of his words sinking in. This was a truth I never asked for, yet it was a truth that, perhaps, I needed. The feeling of betrayal mingled with an odd sense of relief. In some twisted way, the missing piece of my identity had finally fallen into place.

My father watched me, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and hope. “I’m sorry for keeping this from you. I thought I was protecting you both, but I see now it was a mistake.”

I nodded slowly, the initial shock beginning to fade. “I need time to process this, Dad. But thank you for telling me.”