I would have given anything to shield her from the answer without lying.

“I saw a woman I have very strong reason to believe is your mother.

There are people checking the facts.

When we know more, we’ll talk about it together, with someone who can help us understand.”

Emma’s face changed in a way I will never forget.

It wasn’t a smile.

It wasn’t even surprise.

It was the exhausted expression of a child who had carried a secret too heavy for her small body.