For the “Mistake” challenge.

Denethor's Confession, Exactly As He Whispered In My Ear

I have uttered words no parent must ever speak.

Do not gaze at me with such shocked self-righteousness! You are no different than I. We pretend to love our children equally, but in our locked hearts we know the truth – we would give a dozen of the others for the one, the golden one, our heart’s delight.

While the words were unspoken, we lived the lie. I bear the guilt now and will for all time, reliving not the sight of my golden son, but of the anguish in his brother’s eyes.

My sin was to speak the words aloud.