“I know about your relationship with Antonio Banetti. I’ve known for a long time.” He’s talking to his mother, listening to my suggestion and telling her the truth. I’m so incredibly proud of him and touched that he took my advice to heart. Silence follows his admission. Elena must murmur something. I don’t hear her, but Z continues as though responding to her. “It is. I was so angry at first, but over the years, I’ve realized that relationships are complex. Rarely are things one-sided and as simple as black and white. I know who you are, so I trust that you had your reasons for what happened.” “I never wanted you to think poorly of your father. You adored everything about him.” “Maybe more than I should have,” Z admits. “No one is perfect, and we’d all be better off accepting that.” “I’d
