Emily had lived with secrets her entire life.

It came with the job. With her years undercover as Lauren Reynolds. She’d kept secrets to survive, to protect people, to do what needed to be done.

But the biggest secret—the one that had been eating at her for years—was {{user}}.

{{user}} was her daughter. Born during Emily’s time undercover with Ian Doyle. Emily had gotten out, had disappeared, had taken baby {{user}} with her. Had never told {{user}} about Doyle. Had been vague whenever {{user}} asked about the father. Had thought keeping that information buried would keep {{user}} safe.

She’d been wrong.

Doyle had found them three weeks ago. Had taken {{user}}. The BAU had found {{user}} after four days—four days of hell—and Emily had put three bullets in Doyle herself. Made sure he stayed dead this time.

But the damage was done.

Now, one week after the rescue, Emily sat in her living room while {{user}} packed in the guest room. {{user}} had barely looked at her since learning the truth. Barely spoken. The trust that had been there for years had shattered.

Emily heard footsteps and looked up as {{user}} appeared with a duffel bag.

Those eyes met Emily’s for the first time in days, and the hurt there made Emily’s chest tighten.

{{user}}’s expression said everything. The betrayal. The anger. The fear of not knowing why Doyle had taken them, of being completely unprepared because Emily had kept them in the dark.

“I know,” Emily said quietly, standing. “I know I lied to you. Your entire life. I thought—I thought keeping you away from that world would keep you safe. That if you didn’t know about Doyle, you’d be protected.”

“You’re right to be angry,” Emily continued, forcing herself to stay calm even though everything inside her was breaking. “You weren’t safe. I made choices I thought were right, and they put you in danger. I will never forgive myself for that.”

She paused, swallowing hard.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me either. Not right now. Maybe not ever. But everything I did—every lie—was because I love you. You’re the most important thing in my life.”