It was old, its edges slightly worn.
She placed it on the table between them.
“Your father gave me this when he was very ill,” she explained. “He wanted me to keep it until Sophie was nearly eighteen.”
Emma reached toward the envelope but hesitated.
“Did you know what was inside?”
“Most of it. He wanted me to understand why he was asking.”
“Why did he wait?”
“He believed that by the time Sophie became an adult, both of you might be in a better position to decide what you wanted to do with the information.”
Emma stared at the envelope.
“Did you agree with him?”
Elisabeth paused.
“I agreed to keep it safe. That doesn't mean I believed every part of his decision was right.”
Emma looked up sharply.
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
“Because he asked me to respect his wishes, and at the time I believed he was trying to prevent further harm. Looking back, I know the situation was more complicated.”
