A millionaire gave $350 to a beggar to buy food for her child. The next morning, he saw her at the grave of his beloved who died 23 years ago…

And now it seemed like that life had been built on lies, on secrets he had never known. What do we do with this? Richard asked, his voice breaking. How do we move forward from here? Sophie sighed, her eyes filled with the same uncertainty Richard felt.

I don’t know. I wish I had the answers. But I think… I think it’s just going to take time.

Time to process everything. Time to figure out what it all means. Richard nodded slowly, his mind still spinning.

He didn’t know how to move forward, how to reconcile the love he had for Emily with the truth of her relationship with James. But he knew one thing, he wasn’t going to lose Sophie. Not now.

Not after everything they had been through. I don’t want to lose you, Richard said quietly, his voice filled with emotion. Whatever happens, whatever we find out, I don’t want this to come between us.

Sophie looked at him, her eyes softening. You’re not going to lose me, Richard. We’re in this together.

Richard took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words. It wasn’t the answer he had been hoping for. But it was enough.

For now, it was enough. The revelation about James Porter consumed Richard over the next few days. He tried to make sense of it.

But no matter how much he thought about it, the answers remained elusive. His mind replayed old memories, moments from his past with both Emily and James, searching for clues that might have hinted at this secret. But there was nothing.

No moment that stood out. No suspicion that had ever crossed his mind. How could he have missed it? Richard found himself pacing his apartment late into the night, unable to sleep.

The letter Sophie had found was always on his mind. It raised so many questions. Had Emily loved James? Had it been a brief affair, or something more serious? And why had James never told him the truth? More than anything, Richard felt a deep sense of betrayal.

He had trusted both of them, Emily as his wife and James as one of his closest friends. But now, that trust felt shattered, replaced by a gnawing doubt that wouldn’t go away. The next morning, Richard made a decision.

He needed answers. He couldn’t live with the uncertainty any longer. After some searching, he found James’ contact information.

They hadn’t spoken in years, not since they had drifted apart after Emily’s death. But this wasn’t something Richard could let go of. He had to confront him.

With his heart pounding in his chest, Richard dialed the number. It rang a few times before a familiar voice answered. Hello? James’ voice was older, more tired than Richard remembered.

But it was unmistakable. James, Richard said, his voice tight. It’s Richard Lawson.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Richard could hear the hesitation in James’ voice when he finally responded. Richard, it’s been a long time. It has, Richard agreed, keeping his tone calm even though the tension was building inside him.

I need to talk to you. About Emily. Another pause.

Emily? James’ voice was cautious. Almost as if he knew what was coming. What about her? I found a letter, Richard said, his words sharp now.

A letter you wrote to her. About something that happened between the two of you. I think you know what I’m talking about.

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Richard could feel the weight of it, the unspoken truth hanging between them. When James finally spoke, his voice was low, almost resigned.

I didn’t think you’d ever find out. Richard clenched his jaw, the confirmation hitting him hard. So it’s true then.

You and Emily? What was it, James? An affair? A one-time thing? James let out a heavy sigh. It wasn’t like that, Richard. It wasn’t an affair.

It was complicated. Richard’s anger flared. Complicated? That’s all you have to say.

I trusted you, James. You were my friend. I know, James replied.

His voice filled with regret. I never wanted to hurt you, Richard. And I don’t think Emily did either.

What happened between us, it was a mistake, but it wasn’t what you think. Richard’s grip tightened on the phone. Then tell me what it was.

Because from where I’m standing, it looks like both of you kept a pretty big secret from me. James hesitated again. And when he spoke, his voice was quiet, almost defeated.

It was a long time ago, before you and Emily were even serious. We had a brief thing, but it ended. Emily chose you, Richard.

She loved you. Whatever happened between us, it was over long before you two got married. Richard’s heart pounded in his chest.

It was over, but it didn’t make the betrayal any easier to swallow. Why didn’t either of you tell me? I don’t know, James admitted. At first, it didn’t seem like it mattered.

It was in the past, and we both moved on. But as time went on, I guess we were both afraid of what it would do to you, to your marriage. And then after Emily died, I couldn’t bring myself to tell you.

I didn’t want to add to your pain. Richard shook his head, his anger simmering just below the surface. You think keeping it from me was better? You think I wouldn’t have wanted to know the truth? James’s voice was filled with regret.

I don’t know, Richard. I thought I was doing the right thing at the time. But looking back, maybe I should have told you.

Richard felt his chest tighten. He wanted to yell, to unleash the anger and frustration that had been building inside him since he’d read the letter. But at the same time, he felt exhausted.

The weight of all these secrets, all these lies, was overwhelming. I don’t know what to say to you, James, Richard said finally, his voice strained. I don’t even know how to process this.

I understand, James replied quietly. I’m sorry, Richard, I truly am. If I could go back and change things, I would.

But all I can do now is apologize and hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me. Richard wasn’t sure if he was capable of that right now. The betrayal felt too fresh, too raw.

But part of him knew that holding on to the anger wouldn’t bring him peace either. I don’t know if I can forgive you, James, Richard said honestly. But I appreciate you telling me the truth…