He Died Calling Me His Sister—Then I Opened the Letter That Changed Everything (3 of 5)

I watched from afar. I showed up, hoping you’d feel my love, even if you didn’t know what it meant. I wanted to tell you so many times—but I was afraid. You deserved the truth. I’m sorry I was silent.

I love you, Lily. Always.
Love, Dad.

I sobbed—loud and aching. My whole life had changed in a single page.

The next morning, I went to Laura’s house. She opened the door, eyes swollen.

“You read it,” she said.

I nodded.

We sat in silence until she spoke.

“He told me one night. After a nightmare. He couldn’t stop shaking. That’s when I found out.”

“Why didn’t he ever tell me?” I asked.

“He wanted to,” she said. “He was scared it would hurt you. Scared you’d hate him.”

I sat there, stunned. “I always felt something was missing. Like he was holding something back.”