PART 5
PART 5
I confronted Mom that night.
She didn't deny anything.
She simply poured herself another cup of tea.
"I wondered when you'd figure it out."
I stood frozen.
"What did Michael mean?"
She looked at me for a long time.
Then she opened a drawer.
Inside was a faded envelope.
Hospital records.
Adoption papers.
Old photographs.
My hands started shaking before I even touched them.
Mom spoke quietly.
"You're not my biological daughter."
The room fell silent.
"You were six months old when we adopted you."
My heart pounded.
"Dad wanted another child."
"I wanted Brielle."
She didn't even try to hide the bitterness.
"You were supposed to be temporary."
Every word hit harder than the slap.
"I raised you because your father insisted."
She looked directly into my eyes.
"But I never loved you."
Everything suddenly made sense.
Every birthday forgotten.
Every achievement ignored.
Every sacrifice expected.
Every excuse made for Brielle.
I had spent thirty-four years trying to earn a mother's love...
from a woman who had already decided I didn't deserve it.
I turned toward the door.
Mom called after me.
"You still owe this family."
I stopped.
Without looking back, I answered,
"No."
"I paid that debt years ago."
Then I held up the adoption papers.
"And tomorrow morning..."
"...the entire board is going to learn exactly why you spent thirty years protecting one daughter while trying to erase the other."
I opened the front door.
Behind me, Mom finally sounded afraid.
"Natalie..."
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But for the first time...
I didn't stop walking.
