“Because pride is very good at disguising itself as principle.”
Rosa sighed softly.
Gabriel continued, “By the time either of us was ready to apologize, your father had married Veronica. Then your mother died. Your father said he needed distance while you adjusted. I accepted that explanation because I was angry and because it was easier than admitting I missed him.”
I looked down at the envelope.
“Did you know about me?”
“I knew you existed. I saw you once when you were a baby.”
“Where?”
“At the hospital.”
The room seemed to tilt.
“You came to the hospital?”
“Yes. I didn’t go inside. Your father saw me in the parking lot and asked me to leave.”
“Why?”
“He said your mother was recovering and didn’t need more tension around her. I thought he was blaming me for everything that had happened between us. I left.”
“Did you try again?”
