At my brother Eric’s funeral, I expected sorrow, but instead, I received a letter that changed everything. Laura, his widow, handed me an envelope with Eric’s handwriting. Inside was a shocking confession: Eric wasn’t just my brother—he was my father.

When I was fifteen, Eric had fathered me with a woman who wanted to leave. My parents took me in and raised me as their own, while Eric pretended to be my brother. Though distant, he always showed up for me—silent, but present. The letter explained how he loved me but could never be open about it, fearing it would hurt me.