I held my mother close, feeling a mix of emotions as we stood there in the dimly lit warehouse. I had forgiven her, but the weight of her secrets still lingered, casting a shadow over our relationship.
As we pulled back, I saw the tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry, J," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "I was so afraid of losing you."
I felt a pang in my heart, seeing the pain and fear in her eyes. I knew that she had been trying to protect me, but at what cost?
"Why did you keep it a secret?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
My mother took a deep breath, her eyes closed as if collecting her thoughts. "I was afraid of what might happen if you knew the truth," she said, her voice trembling. "I was afraid that you would hate me, that you would leave me."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at my mother. I saw the vulnerability in her eyes, the fear of losing me. And in that moment, I knew that I had to reassure her.
"Mom, I could never hate you," I said, my voice firm but shaking with emotion. "You're my mother, and I love you no matter what."
My mother's eyes opened, and she looked at me with a mix of sadness and relief. "Thank you, J," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thank you for forgiving me."
As we stood there, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I had forgiven my mother, and I had taken the first step towards healing. But I knew that there was still more to come, still more secrets to uncover.
"Mom, there's something else," I said, my voice hesitant. "Something else I need to know."
My mother's eyes met mine, and I saw the fear in them. "What is it, J?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I took a deep breath, my heart racing with anticipation. "What really happened to my father?" I asked, my voice firm but shaking with emotion.
My mother's eyes closed, and she took a deep breath. "I'll tell you everything," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But you have to promise me one thing."
"What's that?" I asked, my voice hesitant.
My mother's eyes opened, and she looked at me with a mix of sadness and determination. "You have to promise me that you'll be careful," she said, her voice firm but shaking with emotion. "You have to promise me that you'll protect yourself."
I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked at my mother. What was she hiding? And what did she mean by "protect myself"?
But I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation. "I promise, Mom," I said, my voice firm but shaking with emotion. "I'll be careful."
My mother's eyes met mine, and I saw the fear in them. But I also saw the determination, the resolve to tell me the truth no matter what.
"Okay, J," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Let's get out of here. It's time I told you everything."