Dad ran a hand through his hair, looking older than I’d ever seen him. “For now, we wait. We can’t ruin her day. But we have to approach this carefully, think about what’s best for Emily.”

A silent tear slipped down my cheek. The day had started with so much promise, so much joy, and now it was overshadowed by a revelation that threatened to unravel everything. I thought of Emily, dancing under the twinkling lights, her laughter ringing in the night. She deserved happiness, truth, and love—real love.

“I’ll be there for her,” I vowed quietly, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. Dad nodded, reaching over to squeeze my hand, a silent pledge of solidarity.

Together, we’d face whatever came next, united in our love for Emily. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with emotional landmines, but we would navigate it—step by step, truth by truth. For now, though, we had to maintain the facade, if only for a little while longer.