Chapter 18 - FIVE YEARS LATERFive years passed.
The scars faded.
The nightmares became rare.
Lila grew into a fearless little girl.
She had my eyes.
My stubbornness.
My father's confidence.
And a heart completely her own.
One summer evening, we sat on the balcony overlooking Central Park.
The sky was painted gold.
Lila ate chocolate ice cream.
I watched her laugh.
Then she suddenly asked:
"Mommy?"
"Yes, baby?"
"Where's my daddy?"
My heart stopped for half a second.
I had rehearsed this moment for years.
But no rehearsal could prepare me for hearing the question from her tiny voice.
I put down my spoon.
I took her hand.
"Your daddy was a very sick man."
"Did he not love me?"
I pulled her onto my lap.
"I think he loved you in the only way he knew how."
She frowned.
"But he was bad?"
"He made very bad choices."
She thought about it.
Then asked:
"Is he still my daddy?"
I looked into her eyes.
"Biology can give you a father."
May you like
I kissed her forehead.
"But love gives you a family."
