Chapter 9: My Chapter 9: My Cousin's Secret
S Cousin's Secret
Sophie arrived at the hospital at 4:20 p.m.
Iophie arrived at the hospital at 4:20 p.m.
I hadn't seen her in almost eight months.
She was thirty years old, three years younger than me, with hadn't seen her in almost eight months.
She was thirty years old, three years younger than me, with shoulder-length brown hair and the same green eyes that ran through the Mitchell family.
She looked exhausted.
Her makeup was smudged.
Her hands shoulder-length brown hair and the same green eyes that ran through the Mitchell family.
She looked exhausted.
Her makeup was smudged.
Her hands were shaking.
And she was carrying a cardboard box.
My father immediately stood.
"Where did you get that?""
" were shaking.
And she was carrying a cardboard box.
My father immediately stood.
"Where did you get that?""
"From my mother's bedroom.""
"Did she know you took it?""
Sophie shook her head.
"She was asleep when I left.""
My father looked toward the security officer.
"Please remain outside the room.""
Sophie placedFrom my mother's bedroom.""
"Did she know you took it?""
Sophie shook her head.
"She was asleep when I left.""
My father looked toward the security officer.
"Please remain outside the room.""
Sophie placed the box on the table.
Then she looked at me.
"How's the baby?""
"She's doing well.""
"What's her name?""
"Elizabeth Eleanor.""
the box on the table.
Then she looked at me.
"How's the baby?""
"She's doing well.""
"What's her name?""
"Elizabeth Eleanor.""
Sophie's face crumpled.
"That's beautiful.""
I studied her.
For years, Sophie and I had been close.
We spent summers together at Grandma EleanorSophie's face crumpled.
"That's beautiful.""
I studied her.
For years, Sophie and I had been close.
We spent summers together at Grandma Eleanor's house.
We shared clothes, secrets, and birthday celebrations.
She was the cousin who called me when she broke up with her first boyfriend.
I was the person she called when she's house.
We shared clothes, secrets, and birthday celebrations.
She was the cousin who called me when she broke up with her first boyfriend.
I was the person she called when she got her first job.
We had never been enemies.
But now I didn't know whether we were even cousins.
"What's in the box?"" I asked.
Sophie wiped got her first job.
We had never been enemies.
But now I didn't know whether we were even cousins.
"What's in the box?"" I asked.
Sophie wiped her cheeks.
"Everything my mother told me never to touch.""
She opened it.
Inside were old photographs, envelopes, hospital documents, and a small velvet pouch.
She picked her cheeks.
"Everything my mother told me never to touch.""
She opened it.
Inside were old photographs, envelopes, hospital documents, and a small velvet pouch.
She picked up a photograph.
It showed two newborn babies lying beside each other in hospital bassinets.
One had a pink identification bracelet.
The other up a photograph.
It showed two newborn babies lying beside each other in hospital bassinets.
One had a pink identification bracelet.
The other had a white one.
On the back, someone had written:
Elizabeth's girls. October 14.
I stared had a white one.
On the back, someone had written:
Elizabeth's girls. October 14.
I stared at the photograph.
"Those are us?""
Sophie nodded.
"I think so.""
My father picked up the picture.
"Who took this?""
"My mother.""
He turned it over.
Then at the photograph.
"Those are us?""
Sophie nodded.
"I think so.""
My father picked up the picture.
"Who took this?""
"My mother.""
He turned it over.
Then he noticed a handwritten note in the corner.
Two beautiful girls. One terrible decision.
I felt my he noticed a handwritten note in the corner.
Two beautiful girls. One terrible decision.
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What decision?""
Sophie looked at me.
"I don't know.""
She opened another envelope.
Inside was a hospital discharge summary.
The stomach tighten.
"What decision?""
Sophie looked at me.
"I don't know.""
She opened another envelope.
Inside was a hospital discharge summary.
The first page listed Elizabeth Mitchell as the mother of a baby girl named Serena.
The second page listed Victoria Mitchell as the mother of a baby girl named Sophie first page listed Elizabeth Mitchell as the mother of a baby girl named Serena.
The second page listed Victoria Mitchell as the mother of a baby girl named Sophie.
But a handwritten note appeared across the top.
Records amended by administrative request.
My father frowned.
But a handwritten note appeared across the top.
Records amended by administrative request.
My father frowned.
"Who authorized the amendment?""
Sophie pointed to the signature.
Diane Walker.
Again.
I felt.
"Who authorized the amendment?""
Sophie pointed to the signature.
Diane Walker.
Again.
I felt anger rise inside me.
"Why was she allowed to change medical records?""
"Because she had connections at the hospital," Sophie whispered.
She removed another anger rise inside me.
"Why was she allowed to change medical records?""
"Because she had connections at the hospital," Sophie whispered.
She removed another document.
This one was a letter from Victoria to Diane.
*The girls must remain with their assigned families document.
This one was a letter from Victoria to Diane.
The girls must remain with their assigned families. If Elizabeth discovers the truth, she will destroy everything.
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Sophie.
"What does 'assigned families' mean. If Elizabeth discovers the truth, she will destroy everything.*
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Sophie.
"What does 'assigned families' mean?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
My father sat down.
"How long have you known about this?""
Sophie looked at the?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
My father sat down.
"How long have you known about this?""
Sophie looked at the floor.
"Three weeks.""
I stared at her.
"Three weeks?""
She nodded.
"Mother told me there was a possibility my birth records had been changed. She said floor.
"Three weeks.""
I stared at her.
"Three weeks?""
She nodded.
"Mother told me there was a possibility my birth records had been changed. She said someone was trying to use the situation to destroy the family.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because someone was trying to use the situation to destroy the family.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because she said you were unstable. She said you were trying to take money from her.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Of course she did.""
Sophie reached she said you were unstable. She said you were trying to take money from her.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Of course she did.""
Sophie reached for my hand.
"Serena, I didn't believe her completely. But I didn't know what to think.""
I looked at her.
"Do you believe me for my hand.
"Serena, I didn't believe her completely. But I didn't know what to think.""
I looked at her.
"Do you believe me now?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
Then she began crying.
"I'm sorry.""
I squeezed her hand.
For the first time since this now?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
Then she began crying.
"I'm sorry.""
I squeezed her hand.
For the first time since this nightmare began, I felt something other than anger.
I felt sorry for her.
She had been raised by Victoria.
She had been taught that her mother was nightmare began, I felt something other than anger.
I felt sorry for her.
She had been raised by Victoria.
She had been taught that her mother was a respectable woman who had sacrificed everything for her family.
Now she was discovering that the person who had a respectable woman who had sacrificed everything for her family.
Now she was discovering that the person who had raised her might have built her entire life around a lie.
My father contacted Detective raised her might have built her entire life around a lie.
My father contacted Detective Harris.
Within an hour, the detective returned with a forensic document examiner and a request Harris.
Within an hour, the detective returned with a forensic document examiner and a request for the original papers.
He carefully photographed each document.
Then he examined the photograph of the two babies.
" for the original papers.
He carefully photographed each document.
Then he examined the photograph of the two babies.
"Do you have the original negatives?""
Sophie nodded.
"They're in the box.""
The examiner studied them.
"TheseDo you have the original negatives?""
Sophie nodded.
"They're in the box.""
The examiner studied them.
"These may help establish the date and location.""
My father pointed to the photograph.
"Can you identify the hospital?""
The examiner enlarged the image.
may help establish the date and location.""
My father pointed to the photograph.
"Can you identify the hospital?""
The examiner enlarged the image.
A sign was visible above the bassinets.
St. Mary's Maternity Ward.
The date appeared to be October 14, fifteen years before my mother's death?
I frownedA sign was visible above the bassinets.
St. Mary's Maternity Ward.
The date appeared to be October 14, fifteen years before my mother's death?
I frowned.
No.
That was impossible.
My father noticed my expression.
"What's wrong?""
I pointed at the date.
"This.
No.
That was impossible.
My father noticed my expression.
"What's wrong?""
I pointed at the date.
"This says October 14, 1994.""
He looked at it.
Then he looked at Sophie.
"That's not says October 14, 1994.""
He looked at it.
Then he looked at Sophie.
"That's not your birthday.""
Sophie shook her head.
"My birthday is October 14, 1994.""
I stared at her.
"Mine is your birthday.""
Sophie shook her head.
"My birthday is October 14, 1994.""
I stared at her.
"Mine is October 14, 1994.""
The room went silent.
The examiner looked at the photograph again.
" October 14, 1994.""
The room went silent.
The examiner looked at the photograph again.
"These records suggest the two infants were photographed on the same date.""
My father leaned forward.
"Then we need the original delivery records.""
The detective nodded.
"We've requested them.""
SophieThese records suggest the two infants were photographed on the same date.""
My father leaned forward.
"Then we need the original delivery records.""
The detective nodded.
"We've requested them.""
Sophie reached into the box again.
"I found something else.""
She removed a small cassette tape.
It was old, with a handwritten label.
Elizabeth — October 15.
My reached into the box again.
"I found something else.""
She removed a small cassette tape.
It was old, with a handwritten label.
Elizabeth — October 15.
My father stared at it.
"Where did you find that?""
"In the bottom of the box.""
The detective looked at the label.
father stared at it.
"Where did you find that?""
"In the bottom of the box.""
The detective looked at the label.
"Do you have a cassette player?""
My father shook his head.
"I know someone who can digitize it.""
The"Do you have a cassette player?""
My father shook his head.
"I know someone who can digitize it.""
The detective carefully placed it inside an evidence bag.
"Don't attempt to play it yourselves. We'll arrange proper examination.""
I looked at Sophie.
"Does your mother know you brought this?""
detective carefully placed it inside an evidence bag.
"Don't attempt to play it yourselves. We'll arrange proper examination.""
I looked at Sophie.
"Does your mother know you brought this?""
Sophie shook her head.
"She knows I found the box. She doesn't know about the tape.""
My father checked his phone.
Then he frowned.
"She's callingSophie shook her head.
"She knows I found the box. She doesn't know about the tape.""
My father checked his phone.
Then he frowned.
"She's calling me.""
Victoria.
He declined the call.
A message arrived immediately.
*Arthur, I know me.""
Victoria.
He declined the call.
A message arrived immediately.
Arthur, I know Sophie is with you. Tell her to come home.
Then another.
You have no idea what you're doing.
S Sophie is with you. Tell her to come home.*
Then another.
You have no idea what you're doing.
Sophie read the messages.
She began shaking.
"She'll be furious.""
My father looked at her.
"ophie read the messages.
She began shaking.
"She'll be furious.""
My father looked at her.
"You're an adult. You don't have to return to a house where you feel threatened.""
Sophie nodded.
Then her phoneYou're an adult. You don't have to return to a house where you feel threatened.""
Sophie nodded.
Then her phone rang.
She answered.
"Hello?""
Victoria's voice was loud enough for me to hear.
"Where are you?""
Sophie swallowed.
"With Serena.""
"What are you doing there?""
" rang.
She answered.
"Hello?""
Victoria's voice was loud enough for me to hear.
"Where are you?""
Sophie swallowed.
"With Serena.""
"What are you doing there?""
"Talking.""
"Bring the box home immediately.""
"No.""
Silence.
Then Victoria's voice became colder.
"Excuse me?""
"I said no.""
"Sophie, you have no idea what those documents mean.""
"Then explain them.""
"You are not in a position to questionTalking.""
"Bring the box home immediately.""
"No.""
Silence.
Then Victoria's voice became colder.
"Excuse me?""
"I said no.""
"Sophie, you have no idea what those documents mean.""
"Then explain them.""
"You are not in a position to question me.""
Sophie began crying.
"Did you lie to me about my birth?""
Victoria said nothing.
"Mother?""
Finally, me.""
Sophie began crying.
"Did you lie to me about my birth?""
Victoria said nothing.
"Mother?""
Finally, Victoria spoke.
"I did what I had to do.""
Sophie closed her eyes.
"Was Elizabeth my mother?""
Victoria spoke.
"I did what I had to do.""
Sophie closed her eyes.
"Was Elizabeth my mother?""
The silence lasted several seconds.
Then Victoria answered.
"Not in the way you think.""
Sophie stared at the phone.
"WhatThe silence lasted several seconds.
Then Victoria answered.
"Not in the way you think.""
Sophie stared at the phone.
"What does that mean?""
"Come home. We will discuss this privately.""
"No. I want the truth.""
Victoria's does that mean?""
"Come home. We will discuss this privately.""
"No. I want the truth.""
Victoria's voice sharpened.
"You are making a terrible mistake.""
Sophie ended the call.
She placed the phone on the table.
Then voice sharpened.
"You are making a terrible mistake.""
Sophie ended the call.
She placed the phone on the table.
Then she looked at me.
"I don't know who I am anymore.""
I reached for her hand.
"You're Sophie.""
She looked at me.
"That's all?""
" she looked at me.
"I don't know who I am anymore.""
I reached for her hand.
"You're Sophie.""
She looked at me.
"That's all?""
"That's enough.""
For a moment, she smiled.
Then the hospital phoneThat's enough.""
For a moment, she smiled.
Then the hospital phone rang.
The nurse answered.
She listened.
Her expression changed.
"One moment, please.""
She covered the receiver.
"Mr. Mitchell, Detective Harris is requesting you downstairs rang.
The nurse answered.
She listened.
Her expression changed.
"One moment, please.""
She covered the receiver.
"Mr. Mitchell, Detective Harris is requesting you downstairs. He says they have an update from the hospital archive.""
My father stood.
"What's happened?""
The nurse shook. He says they have an update from the hospital archive.""
My father stood.
"What's happened?""
The nurse shook her head.
"He didn't explain.""
My father looked at me.
"I'll be back.""
He left with the detective.
Sophie remained beside my bed.
For several her head.
"He didn't explain.""
My father looked at me.
"I'll be back.""
He left with the detective.
Sophie remained beside my bed.
For several minutes, we sat quietly.
Then she picked up the photograph again.
"Serena?""
"Yes?""
" minutes, we sat quietly.
Then she picked up the photograph again.
"Serena?""
"Yes?""
"There's something I haven't told you.""
I looked at her.
"What?""
She hesitated.
"Three weeks ago, my mother showed me a DNAThere's something I haven't told you.""
I looked at her.
"What?""
She hesitated.
"Three weeks ago, my mother showed me a DNA test.""
My stomach tightened.
"Whose?""
"Mine and hers.""
I stared at her.
"What did it say?""
Sophie swallowed.
"It said we weren't test.""
My stomach tightened.
"Whose?""
"Mine and hers.""
I stared at her.
"What did it say?""
Sophie swallowed.
"It said we weren't biologically related.""
I couldn't speak.
She continued.
"Mother told me the test was wrong. She said the laboratory had made a mistake. But she refused to let biologically related.""
I couldn't speak.
She continued.
"Mother told me the test was wrong. She said the laboratory had made a mistake. But she refused to let me have another test.""
I looked toward the door.
"Did you believe her?""
"No.""
me have another test.""
I looked toward the door.
"Did you believe her?""
"No.""
She pulled a folded paper from her handbag.
"I made another appointment myself.""
I looked at the document.
It wasShe pulled a folded paper from her handbag.
"I made another appointment myself.""
I looked at the document.
It was a preliminary DNA report.
The results showed no biological parent-child relationship between Sophie and Victoria.
I stared at it.
"Then who is your mother?""
Sophie shook a preliminary DNA report.
The results showed no biological parent-child relationship between Sophie and Victoria.
I stared at it.
"Then who is your mother?""
Sophie shook her head.
"I don't know.""
She looked at the photograph of the two babies.
"But I think I know why my mother was so afraid of her head.
"I don't know.""
She looked at the photograph of the two babies.
"But I think I know why my mother was so afraid of you discovering the truth.""
I waited.
"Because if you're Elizabeth's biological daughter, then I'm not.""
My heart began racing.
"What are you discovering the truth.""
I waited.
"Because if you're Elizabeth's biological daughter, then I'm not.""
My heart began racing.
"What are you saying?""
Sophie looked directly at me.
"I think my mother raised me because she was supposed to be protecting someone else's child.""
Before I could answer, my father returned.
He you saying?""
Sophie looked directly at me.
"I think my mother raised me because she was supposed to be protecting someone else's child.""
Before I could answer, my father returned.
He looked as though he'd aged ten years in the last twenty minutes.
"What happened?"" I asked.
He sat down.
"The hospital archive has confirmed that the original birth records were altered.""
My throat looked as though he'd aged ten years in the last twenty minutes.
"What happened?"" I asked.
He sat down.
"The hospital archive has confirmed that the original birth records were altered.""
My throat tightened.
"Whose records?""
"Both yours and Sophie's.""
He placed a document on the table.
"The original register lists Elizabeth Mitchell as the mother of two infants delivered tightened.
"Whose records?""
"Both yours and Sophie's.""
He placed a document on the table.
"The original register lists Elizabeth Mitchell as the mother of two infants delivered that evening.""
I looked at Sophie.
"Twins?""
My father shook his head.
"No. Two separate deliveries. Different biological mothers.""
I stared at him.
"Then whose babies that evening.""
I looked at Sophie.
"Twins?""
My father shook his head.
"No. Two separate deliveries. Different biological mothers.""
I stared at him.
"Then whose babies were we?""
He looked at the document.
"The hospital has located the original maternal admission records. One infant was registered under Elizabeth. The other under Victoria.""
were we?""
He looked at the document.
"The hospital has located the original maternal admission records. One infant was registered under Elizabeth. The other under Victoria.""
"Then why did the names change?""
My father looked at Sophie.
"Because someone submitted a request to exchange the maternal identities on the birth certificates.""
Sophie covered her mouth.
I"Then why did the names change?""
My father looked at Sophie.
"Because someone submitted a request to exchange the maternal identities on the birth certificates.""
Sophie covered her mouth.
I felt sick.
"Who?""
My father slowly turned the document around.
At the bottom was the authorization signature.
Arthur Mitchell.
I felt sick.
"Who?""
My father slowly turned the document around.
At the bottom was the authorization signature.
Arthur Mitchell.
I stared at it.
My father shook his head.
"That's not my signature.""
The detective stepped into the room.
"Mr. Mitchell, there's something else.""
stared at it.
My father shook his head.
"That's not my signature.""
The detective stepped into the room.
"Mr. Mitchell, there's something else.""
He placed another document on the table.
"We've located the original DNA samples retained by the hospital.""
He placed another document on the table.
"We've located the original DNA samples retained by the hospital.""
My father looked up.
"After fifteen years?""
"The hospital maintained an archived neonatal screening record. We have requested confirmation throughMy father looked up.
"After fifteen years?""
"The hospital maintained an archived neonatal screening record. We have requested confirmation through independent testing.""
I looked at Sophie.
She was crying silently.
The detective continued.
"However, we have already identified an important discrepancy.""
independent testing.""
I looked at Sophie.
She was crying silently.
The detective continued.
"However, we have already identified an important discrepancy.""
"What discrepancy?"" I asked.
He hesitated.
"According to the original maternal admission records, Elizabeth Mitchell gave birth to a daughter at 8:14 p.m.""
My father grabbed"What discrepancy?"" I asked.
He hesitated.
"According to the original maternal admission records, Elizabeth Mitchell gave birth to a daughter at 8:14 p.m.""
My father grabbed the edge of the table.
"And Victoria?""
"She gave birth to a daughter at 8:47 the edge of the table.
"And Victoria?""
"She gave birth to a daughter at 8:47 p.m.""
I looked at the photograph.
Two babies.
Thirty-three minutes apart.
Two mothers.
Two altered birth certificates.
The detective placed p.m.""
I looked at the photograph.
Two babies.
Thirty-three minutes apart.
Two mothers.
Two altered birth certificates.
The detective placed one final page in front of me.
"Mrs. Walker, the original hospital record identifies the biological mother of the child registered as Serena Mitchell.""
I couldn't breathe.
I looked one final page in front of me.
"Mrs. Walker, the original hospital record identifies the biological mother of the child registered as Serena Mitchell.""
I couldn't breathe.
I looked at the name.
Then at my father.
Then at Sophie.
The detective spoke quietly.
"Your biological mother was Elizabeth Mitchell.""
I closed my eyes.
A sob at the name.
Then at my father.
Then at Sophie.
The detective spoke quietly.
"Your biological mother was Elizabeth Mitchell.""
I closed my eyes.
A sob escaped my throat.
I was her daughter.
I had always been her daughter.
But then the detective continued.
"However, the escaped my throat.
I was her daughter.
I had always been her daughter.
But then the detective continued.
"However, the original records indicate that Sophie was also delivered to Elizabeth Mitchell's room after birth.""
My father frowned.
"How is that possible?""
The detective looked at him original records indicate that Sophie was also delivered to Elizabeth Mitchell's room after birth.""
My father frowned.
"How is that possible?""
The detective looked at him.
"That's precisely what we're investigating.""
He placed another sheet on the table.
It contained an additional note.
*Second.
"That's precisely what we're investigating.""
He placed another sheet on the table.
It contained an additional note.
Second infant transferred under special family authorization.
And beneath it was a name.
*Diane Walker.*
That infant transferred under special family authorization.*
And beneath it was a name.
*Diane Walker.*
That evening, my father received a call from the hospital's legal department.
They had located the former administrator who approved the amendments.
He was still alive.
His name was George Whitmore evening, my father received a call from the hospital's legal department.
They had located the former administrator who approved the amendments.
He was still alive.
His name was George Whitmore.
And he had agreed to provide a statement.
But there was a condition.
He wanted to speak to me personally.
Not my father.
Not the detective.
Me.
I looked at the phone.
.
And he had agreed to provide a statement.
But there was a condition.
He wanted to speak to me personally.
Not my father.
Not the detective.
Me.
I looked at the phone.
"Why me?""
My father frowned.
"He may know something about the trust.""
The detective nodded.
"We"Why me?""
My father frowned.
"He may know something about the trust.""
The detective nodded.
"We'll arrange a recorded interview.""
The call came through an hour later.
An elderly man's face appeared on the screen.
His'll arrange a recorded interview.""
The call came through an hour later.
An elderly man's face appeared on the screen.
His hands were trembling.
"Mrs. Walker?""
"Yes.""
"My name is George Whitmore. I was the hospital administrator at St. Mary's when your mother died.""
hands were trembling.
"Mrs. Walker?""
"Yes.""
"My name is George Whitmore. I was the hospital administrator at St. Mary's when your mother died.""
I nodded.
"Why did you change our birth records?""
He looked down.
"Because I was instructed to.""
"By whom?""
He hesitated.
Then heI nodded.
"Why did you change our birth records?""
He looked down.
"Because I was instructed to.""
"By whom?""
He hesitated.
Then he whispered:
"By your grandmother.""
My father stood abruptly.
"That's impossible.""
Whitmore shook his head.
"Eleanor Mitchell came to me personally. She told me the girls needed to be protected whispered:
"By your grandmother.""
My father stood abruptly.
"That's impossible.""
Whitmore shook his head.
"Eleanor Mitchell came to me personally. She told me the girls needed to be protected from a dangerous arrangement involving the Walker family.""
I stared at the screen.
"Why would Grandma change my records?""
He looked directly from a dangerous arrangement involving the Walker family.""
I stared at the screen.
"Why would Grandma change my records?""
He looked directly at me.
"Because one of the babies had been born with a condition that someone was determined to hide.""
My stomach tightened.
"What condition?""
Whitmore swallowed.
Then he said:
" at me.
"Because one of the babies had been born with a condition that someone was determined to hide.""
My stomach tightened.
"What condition?""
Whitmore swallowed.
Then he said:
"Mrs. Walker, the truth is that the two babies were never supposed to leave the hospital with the families who raised them.""
TheMrs. Walker, the truth is that the two babies were never supposed to leave the hospital with the families who raised them.""
The call ended.
I stared at the blank screen.
My father looked devastated.
Sophie was crying.
And I suddenly understood that the call ended.
I stared at the blank screen.
My father looked devastated.
Sophie was crying.
And I suddenly understood that the question wasn't simply who our biological mothers were.
It was why Grandma had believed two newborn girls needed to be hidden question wasn't simply who our biological mothers were.
It was why Grandma had believed two newborn girls needed to be hidden from their own families.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*Serena, if you want to understand why Eleanor changed the records, ask your from their own families.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
Serena, if you want to understand why Eleanor changed the records, ask your father what happened to your twin sister.
I looked at Arthur.
"Daddy?""
His face went completely white.
Because apparently, fifteen father what happened to your twin sister.*
I looked at Arthur.
"Daddy?""
His face went completely white.
Because apparently, fifteen years of secrets had been nothing compared to the one he was about to reveal.
*I had never been an only child.*
May you like
years of secrets had been nothing compared to the one he was about to reveal.
*I had never been an only child.*
