His gaze fixed on the words: *How do you tell a man you had a one-night stand with six years ago that he has a daughter, a secret only his grandmother knew because you were afraid of ruining his life?*
Rick’s hands began to shake as he reread the question. Memories flooded back—six years ago, he’d come to town visiting his parents, met a woman one night at a bar, and they’d spent hours talking. He remembered mentioning how he wasn’t looking for a relationship because he was focused on his career.
They’d ended up together that night, but in the morning, she’d disappeared without a trace, leaving only faint memories.
Now, he recognized her.
That woman was Emily.
Anger rushed through him. Emily had stayed silent for years, keeping this from him, and even his grandmother had known and had never told him.
He left the bookstore immediately and found himself standing at Emily’s doorstep, dressed in an astronaut costume.
When Emily opened the door, she froze, her expression turning to shock as she saw him standing there.
“How could you keep this from me?
All these years?” Rick asked, his voice tight with anger. “And you even made my grandmother keep it from me?”
Emily looked down, her eyes filling with tears.
“You were so focused on your career.
I thought if I told you, it would ruin everything you worked for.”
Rick shook his head, hurt flashing across his face. “You didn’t know that, Emily. You didn’t have the right to decide for me.
My life could have been different…better with you and Carol in it.
I know it would have.”
Emily’s face softened as she looked at him, her own tears falling.
Just then, little Carol ran to the door, her eyes wide as she stared up at Rick in his astronaut costume. “Daddy?” she asked.
Rick knelt down, smiling through his tears.
“Yes.”
Carol threw herself into his arms, holding him tight. Both he and Emily cried, feeling the weight of the years melt away.
