There’s peace in finally facing the truth you’ve been avoiding for your entire life. Peace and no small amount of mourning. Caleb isn’t the first who’s seen me truly; I wouldn’t have been so isolated if I could hide better. But Caleb saw me and embraced my truth, rather than shunning me for it. I smile up at Ralph even as my ribs feel like they’re cracking into a thousand pieces. “I can’t do it, Ralph. Even if I wanted to give him up, I hate scaring people. I hate lying. I hate manipulating.”
