the Army. You built a life. You became someone extraordinary.”
His voice broke completely.
“And I let my wife convince me you were a burden.”
For the first time, I heard genuine regret.
Not embarrassment.
Not guilt over being caught.
Regret.
“I don’t expect forgiveness,” he said.
“I know.”
“But I hope someday we can be brother and sister again.”
I looked across the room at Eli, who was sitting on the bed coloring quietly.
The same crayons.
A new box.
A fresh start.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
