At the age of 13, she gave birth to a child, and 18 years later, on her daughter’s birthday, she received a letter from the hospital, after which the girl’s father confessed for the first time that he was hiding the truth

I should have trusted the woman you were becoming.

I should have remembered that you were capable of deciding which doors to open and which doors to leave closed.

I hope you can forgive me.

I do not know whether Helena is still alive when you read this.

I do not know whether she has changed or whether her regrets have led to anything meaningful.

I only know that she once asked to know Sophie, and I kept that request from you.

What happens next must be your choice and, when she is ready, Sophie's.

Please remember that you were never responsible for the cruel decisions made by adults around you.

You deserved protection.

You deserved kindness.

You deserved the chance to grow up without fear.

If I could change anything, I would give you back the years you lost.

I cannot do that.

But I hope the years ahead of you will be filled with possibilities you have not yet imagined.