"You silly boy, it's not your fault. Mommy was being selfish. You've always wanted a dad, haven't you?"
Oliver glanced up at her, careful and quiet, then smiled. "As long as I have you, that's enough."
Lila gently tousled his hair, a soft ache in her heart. "Liar. That’s not cute at all," she said with a forced smile. "Actually, that 'mean man' isn’t a bad guy. And mommy wasn’t bullied by him either. That man... he’s your dad."
Oliver’s mouth fell open, eyes wide as saucers, sparkling with disbelief. He blinked fast like he couldn’t believe what he just heard.
"He... he's really my dad? For real?"
Lila nodded slightly. "Yeah. I'm sorry, sweetie. I should’ve told you sooner. There were some things I couldn’t explain before... I hope you can forgive me, okay?"
"Mommy’s be
