“I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said, his voice breaking. “I know this hasn’t been easy for you and how hard you had to work to buy that house. I just wanted to give you something special, something you’ve always dreamed of. I’m so sorry for all the pain I’ve caused.”
Melissa’s heart ached with the weight of his confession. She stepped forward and knelt beside him, taking his hands in hers. “I understand now, Paul. I see what you were trying to do. It’s just… it’s been so hard not knowing, and my mind went to dark places.”