I opened the envelope with my name. Inside was a single sentence, written in my father-in-law’s handwriting:

“Forgive me for telling you the truth too late.”

In another stack of papers, I found the doctor’s recommendations. Clear, strict: avoid heavy stress, avoid emotional overload, annual specialist check-ups, eliminate hereditary risks — test any future children immediately after birth.

And another line:

“If symptoms are ignored — high risk of sudden behavioral changes and loss of control.”

A cold shiver ran through me. I remembered strange episodes with my husband that I had blamed on fatigue, stress, irritation.

Now I had to ask myself the question I feared most: was it really him… or the disease?