Mom, Dad got married today.
Her name is Amelia. She’s really kind.
I think you would like her.
I felt something warm roll down my cheek.
I hadn’t even realized I was crying.
Amelia’s voice was soft now.
“I thought it was something bad,” she admitted. “But then I started reading them…”
She wiped her eyes.
“Oliver… do you realize what this means?”
I looked at the letters again.
Leo had been writing to his mother for twelve years.
Sharing his life.
Sharing our life.
He wasn’t hiding something terrible.
He had been protecting something sacred.
Just then, a quiet voice came from the doorway.
“Dad?”
We both turned.
Leo stood there in his pajamas, rubbing his eyes.
He had clearly woken up and noticed the light in our room.
Then his gaze dropped to the wooden box.
His face froze.
“Did… did you open it?” he asked quietly.
I stood up slowly.
“Yes,” I said gently.
He looked down, embarrassed.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t want you to think it was weird.”
