Page 170

"What?"

I look toward them.

"I almost forgot."

"Forgot what?"

"What normal looks like."

His expression softens.

"Me too."

"So..."

He gestures vaguely toward town.

"Do we tell people?"

I almost answer immediately. No. Because that's what I've done my entire life. Control the information. Control the narrative. Protect myself through distance. But then I look at Sayer. My son. A person who spent 15 years without knowing where he belonged. A person whose entire existence was hidden from the world.

"No."

He looks disappointed. I continue.

"Not because I'm ashamed."

His expression changes.

"Because not everyone deserves access to something precious."

Rhett nods.

"That's different."

"It is."

"I spent years believing anonymity protected me."

"It did."

"Maybe."

I think about Hollow Truths. The woman behind the screen. The person millions trusted because they never knew me. But now…

I know what I want. Not everyone. Not strangers. Not the internet. Them.

"My life doesn't have to be hidden."

Sayer smiles slightly.

"Good."

I glance at him.

"Good?"

"Because I refuse to be someone's secret."