Julie turned around, looking at all of us anxiously. "No... No, it's not that... I didn't mean to... I just... I was worried..." she stammered, her voice filled with desperation.
I looked at Julie, my expression a mix of sadness and disappointment. "Julie... I am actually really sad. And I'm not sad about you hiding things from me, but about you feeling sad and worried all by yourself and not telling any of us. How can I take care of you and love you if I don't know anything? Didn't I promise you that I would love you, pamper you, deal with any problem for you, and not let you feel hurt or painful?"
I held Julie close, my voice a mix of firmness and tenderness. "So, how could I fulfill my promise to you if you hide things from me?"
Julie's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling with emotion. "No... Jack... I promise. I will never do it again. Please don't be angry. You can punish me however you want..."
