The room went silent, as though air itself had been pulled away. Martin blinked, then shook his head, speechless. My heart lurched wildly. Graham didn’t speak or try to defend. He only bowed his head, allowing Nora to reveal the truth in her own way. Our fear was twisted into something entirely different.
Nora’s words spilled out, urgent and fragile. “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d think I wasn’t grateful. That you’d feel like your love wasn’t enough. But I needed to know where I came from. And I didn’t want to replace you both—never! I wanted to understand the other half of my being better.”