164 — MICHAEL O’NEIL (POV)

Seven years ago, I found out that I’m a father. And I just needed to look at those big brown eyes, her features that reminded me so much of myself — of my family. 

But the truth is that, for a whole week, I didn’t sleep. 

Of course, I welcomed Angelee from the first moment. I believed in her and hugged her tightly, but there was a dark side that I didn’t want to acknowledge... I didn’t want to accept this truth.

For more than thirty years, my life has been shaped by the wishes of others. My parents, Kristen... It was kind of scary to regain control. Admitting the uncertainties and fears I had at that time sounded like a sin. I didn’t allow myself to understand them. 

But Angelee’s words today made me realize something... That I am a human, after all. 

A human that made mistakes and has been blinded for too long.

But I never imagined that my guilt was a burden for Angelee. In fact, I never rea