The revelation shattered Frudi but she composed herself, determination in her eyes. "Tell me more, Dad. I need to know."
Cisco nodded. "When you were just a month old, Laurel dropped you off at my door with a letter."
Frudi's curiosity piqued.
"The letter said you were the 'mistake' we made," Cisco continued. "Laurel wanted nothing to do with you."
Frudi's heart ached.
"I didn't want you to feel unwanted, Frudi," Cisco said softly. "So I raised you on my own, kept Laurel's secret."
Frudi's expression softened. "You did a great job, Dad."
Cisco smiled, relieved.
But Frudi's thoughts turned to Laurel. "If she's alive, why didn't she ever come to see me?"
Cisco's expression turned grim. "I don't know, Frudi. Maybe guilt, maybe fear...I just don't know."
Frudi's eyes narrowed. "Did she ever contact you?"
Cisco hesitated before responding. "There were moments, but I kept her at arm's length. I wanted to protect you."
