Chapter 26 - The Truth Told Softly
Valeria put her puzzle piece down and shifted so she was sitting directly across from her daughter, giving her complete, undivided attention.
"Yes, Isabel. You have a biological father,"
Valeria answered honestly, her voice gentle but remarkably steady.
"Where is he?"
Isabel asked, tilting her head.
"He is far away, in a place where he cannot hurt anyone anymore,"
Valeria explained carefully, using words a child could understand without terrifying her.
"He was not a good man, little bird. He made very bad choices, and he caused a lot of pain. Because of that, he lost the privilege of being part of our beautiful family."
Isabel frowned slightly, processing the information with surprising maturity.
"Did he hurt you, Mama?"
Isabel whispered softly.
"A long time ago, yes,"
Valeria admitted, reaching out to gently stroke her daughter's cheek.
"But I was strong, and Grandma Elena was strong, and we made sure that he went away forever. You never have to be afraid of him, or anyone else. We are safe, and we are perfectly complete just the way we are."
Isabel smiled, a bright, unburdened expression, and threw her arms around Valeria's neck.
"I love our family, Mama,"
May you like
Isabel declared happily, instantly moving past the ghost of Adrián.
Valeria kissed her daughter's hair, her heart swelling with absolute, pure joy. The truth had set them both completely free.
