Sarah knelt beside him, her hand trembling on his arm. “He’s still out there, Mike. He wanted me to tell you only when you were ready. He knows the hurt runs deep. But he hasn’t stopped trying. Every note, every dollar—it was him, hoping you’d understand someday.”
Emily’s voice piped up again, soft and earnest. “He said he loves you, Daddy. Even if you’re mad.” She climbed onto his lap, her small arms encircling his neck. Michael hugged her tightly, eyes stinging, the bitterness of old wounds colliding with the fragile innocence of her words.