Henry took a deep breath and glanced again at Amala as if to give her a silent warning before he said, “Forgive me, Amala, but I have to be completely honest with your family. Obviously there are no more secrets, and no more pretending that what happened in the past didn’t happen.” He turned again to look at her parents. “I feel like an absolute fool for believing you wouldn’t have noticed. In no way do I wish to blame Amala or be cruel to her, but I want you to know that keeping my feelings for her a secret was her idea, not mine. I wanted to speak with you almost as soon as I met Amala. I wanted to court her, to marry her. She insisted that no one know. I still don’t fully understand her reasons, but I cared for her enough to respect them. I just wanted you to know that.” He pushed back his chair and rose from the table. “That’s all I have to say, and I really don’t have much of an appetite. I’m going to sit with my wife. If you have any other questions, I’m certain my dear sister can answer them.”

Amala couldn’t help but hear that tiniest bit of snideness in the words dear sister, as if he wished to emphasize the current state of their relationship. But she knew him well enough to know that he was far angrier than he was allowing himself to show.

Henry turned to walk away and was almost to the door before Oliver stood and said, “Henry.”

“Yes,” he said, and Amala glanced over her shoulder to see him face his father-in-law.

“There’s something that I need to say, and I know I speak for your mother because we have discussed it many times.” Amala hoped that Henry noticed the reminder of how Oliver and Viola considered themselves his parents, too. “You have been such a great blessing in our lives, son. We have never questioned your integrity nor your wholehearted commitment to our dear Katarina. As much as we love her and can’t even fathom what’s happening, we can’t imagine how difficult it must be for you. If I were to lose my Viola, I . . .” He paused and struggled for composure. “We just want you to know that your becoming aware that we knew about you and Amala changes nothing. We love you, son; we respect you, and we’re grateful to have you here with us. Whatever your future decisions might be, this will always be your home. We couldn’t bear to lose you, too.”