Heather’s heart sinks when her five-year-old daughter refuses to include her dad in her drawings. When Heather finally asks her little girl for an explanation, Lily reveals a startling truth about a secret her dad has been hiding. The revelation leaves Heather completely speechless, unraveling a hidden part of their lives she never expected. I sat on the couch, holding the phone to my ear, listening to Lily’s teacher’s concerned voice.“Heather, is everything alright at home?” Mrs. Thompson asked gently.

I felt a knot of worry tighten in my stomach. “What’s the matter, Mrs. Thompson?” I asked. She sighed softly on the other end. “Today, we had the kids draw pictures of their families. Lily drew just three people: you, herself, and her big brother Liam. When I asked her where her dad was, she clammed up and wouldn’t say a word.”My heart sank. I glanced at Lily, who was playing with her toys on the carpet. Her little face looked so innocent and happy. “Oh, I see,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Well, her dad hasn’t been around much lately. We’ve been going through a bit of a tough time.”“I understand, Heather. It’s just that Lily seemed so closed off when I asked her. I thought maybe there was something more going on.”I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts.