Part 2: My millionaire husband left me nothing in his will after 48 years of marriage except a note with an address — when I arrived there, what I saw made me fall to my knees.

On the wall hung a framed picture of Thomas.

My heart clenched.

Julian noticed.

“I can take it down.”

“No.”

I sat.

“Leave it.”

He made tea.

Then sat opposite me.

For a long time, we simply looked at each other.

Finally, I asked:

“How long have you known Thomas was your father?”

Julian stared at his cup.

“All my life, more or less.”

My chest tightened.

“And he visited you?”

“Sometimes.”

“How often?”

“When I was little, not very often. Once or twice a year.”

I looked down.

“Did he give you money?”

Julian nodded.

“He helped Mom with rent and school expenses. Later, he contributed to my college tuition.”

My stomach twisted.

There had been years when Thomas told me we couldn't afford a vacation.

Years when we worked sixteen-hour days building the business.

And all that time, there had been another family.

Julian seemed to read my expression.