42

LAURA

Alex stared at me quietly, waiting for me to continue. He was confused, I could tell from the from lines between his brows, but he didn't ask any questions or push me to go on. He just waited patiently and I appreciated it.

I was about to confess to him something that I'd never told anyone. If I did it under pressure, then I was either going to lie or not do it at all.

And I needed to do this.

For him and for me.

"My father left when I was eight. Or at least so I was told by my mom," I said, swallowing hard. My voice shook and something kept telling me to stop this madness, to turn away and walk upstairs, knowing that Alex wouldn't force me if I didn't really want to. I ignored it and continued. "At eight, you'd think I would remember him but I don't. I have not one single memory of him. The only person I remember when I was that young, was a man who was married to my mother for a long time."

Memories from the past assaulted me and instead of shutting them out, I let myself