When in doubt, tell the truth.
OTOH, if Edgar's attempts at reconciliation are genuine (people DO change, grow up, etc.), then maybe Lily should try to just have an open and honest discussion with him, explain WHY she has resentments and see how he reacts. If he's truly repentant, then maybe they could find some kind of happy medium, because after all, despite who he was in the past, he's still her father, and we only get one father in life.
He could die tomorrow and if that happens, there will be many things left unsaid and Lily may live the rest of her life regretting the fact that she didn't confront him openly and honestly. That's not something anyone would look forward to. Who knows, maybe she can reconcile this mess and have a decent relationship with her father, more on her own terms, if she's honest about it. he may be wanting just that, but she'll never know unless she asks.
Forgiveness can work miracles in life and this may be a case where forgiveness is needed, maybe on both ends, maybe not. If he's a changed man, then giving him the benefit of the doubt may not necessarily be such a bad thing. It depends on all of the details and whether or not he's being genuine and honest himself. It does sound like he's trying.
The past is gone forever, even though it may filled with be painful memories. Her Mom apparently suffered, but didn't allow herself to hate, which is probably a good thing, because hate eats up the hater; not the one who's hated. They just go about their business while someone else spends their time hating. That's no way to live either.
It sounds like it's time for a real talk where everything is laid out in the open and dealt with; one way or another.
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