Then you know there's nothing you could do to make him love you any less.

[ She'll give his hand another squeeze she hopes is reassuring. ]

He'll understand why you kept it from him. He kept things from you for the same reason, after all. It may hurt a little bit at first, but that's okay. You can help each other through it.

And it'll be nice, won't it? To be able to speak more candidly with your dad. I'm sure he'll be happy for the chance to be there for you in all the ways he wasn't allowed to at home.

So it'll— It'll be okay in the end, no matter what happens. Neither of you will be alone.