Julio / Helio
The moment I stepped into the house, barely past the door, Julian came running toward me.
“Dad! You’re back!”
A smile came to my face instantly as he threw himself into my arms. I caught him easily and held him close.
“Did you miss me that much?” I asked, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He laughed, bright and carefree—the only real light in this house, a stark contrast to his mother.
“Yes! I missed you so, so much,” he said, stretching his arms wide to show just how much. I let out a quiet chuckle.
I wondered, not for the first time, what would happen when he finally learned the truth—that his whole life had been built on a lie. I pushed the thought away. There was no avoiding it forever, though. One way or another, every one of us had tasted bitterness because of the cou
