When Kessler called me "Sunshine" and mentioned there was something else, my curiosity piqued. I could sense his uncertainty, but I leaned in, asking, "What is it?"

"I know she did many things to you that she wasn't proud of," he began. "She said it before she passed away—she couldn't look into your eyes and ask for forgiveness."

I nodded slowly, trying to grasp the significance of Kessler's words and where he was leading this conversation.

"Annie wants us to be the godparents to her baby," Kessler said hurriedly, as if the words were burning on his tongue. I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, a smile...