My chest felt heavy as I packed the last of the things I could carry into my suitcase. I glanced around the house one final time. It was an orphanage, and it hurt to leave... but I knew I had to. I took in every corner of the place I had called home for nearly twenty-three years.
I couldn’t help but remember how, as a child, I used to dream of escaping this place. I wanted so badly to be adopted. Rich or poor, it didn’t matter. I would’ve gone with anyone willing to take me in with a full heart. I never gave up hope, but everything changed when I reached legal age. Still, no one came for me. And sometimes, I find myself wondering why.
I was kind. I wasn’t hard to love. I was pretty. So why? Why didn’t anyone choose me?
A bitter smile crept onto my lips.
I used to be so eager to leave. Now, I could barely move my feet. I never thought it would be this hard to walk away from a place that had become my home.
“Take care of yourself out there, Noami,” Mother Theresa said, hugging me tightly.
I bit my lower lip, trying not to cry.
“I will, Mother Theresa. You too. Take care, okay? And try not to turn into a dragon when you’re angry. You’re getting older, it’s not good for your wrinkles,” I teased, blinking back tears.
She had always been the closest thing I had to a mother inside these walls.
“You silly girl. You better go before you miss your ride.”
Her voice was filled with sadness, even though we’d talked about this goodbye many times.
“I’ll come back once I’ve got everything sorted. Please don’t worry about me.”
“I’m going to worry no matter what, Noami. This is the first time you’ll be away from me, away from us.”
I smiled, even as tears brimmed in my eyes.
“I’ll go ahead now, Mother Theresa.”
I forced my steps to stay light as I walked away.
It took me almost an hour and a half to reach Manila. At the airport, I looked around, feeling a strange mix of fear and wonder. This was the first time I had ever left the orphanage alone. I’d gone out before, but always just around the village, and always with the sisters. I never imagined the day would come when I’d be traveling solo, and to somewhere so far.
“Miss Noami.”
I turned toward the voice and was surprised to see a well-built man standing before me.
“I’m James. The Montoyas sent me to pick you up,” he said.
I hesitated for a moment. But when he showed me a photo of the Montoya couple, I finally relaxed. I could still hear Mother Theresa’s voice warning me not to trust people too easily.
He took my bag, nodded, and motioned for me to follow him outside.
As we walked, I couldn’t help but observe him from behind. He was tall, built, and dressed way too formally for the heat, black tuxedo and all.
“James, are you a secret agent or something? I mean, look at your suit. You look like someone straight out of a TV show.”
He gave a small smile.
“Maybe you’ve just been watching too much television, Miss Noami.”
“Don’t call me Miss. Just Noami. I’m not used to formal stuff. And aren’t you hot in that suit?” I asked, still puzzled.
He just shook his head and started the car. We didn’t talk after that. Somewhere along the long drive, I fell asleep.
I woke up to a gentle tap on my shoulder. As I opened my eyes, I saw a massive house before me. My jaw dropped as I took in the mansion. If the outside was this grand, what more was inside?
I couldn’t believe my sister, Normani, lived here.
James opened the door and helped me out. I felt nervous as I walked in. The moment the doors opened, I was greeted by a grand staircase and a sparkling chandelier at the center.
“Finally, you’re here!”
A woman’s voice echoed. She was seated on an elegant sofa beside an older man. I swallowed hard. The house staff had paused whatever they were doing and were now staring at me.
“Have a seat, dear,” the man said. He looked to be in his mid-fifties.
I didn’t have much of a choice. I approached and sat across from them, throwing a quick glance at James who stood quietly beside me.
“Good evening,” I greeted, forcing a smile.
“Good evening to you too, dear. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve mistaken you for Normani. You two look exactly the same,” the woman said, smiling wide.
She wasn’t wrong. Normani and I were like mirrors of each other.
They were the Montoyas—the ones who had adopted my sister. They were wealthy, high-status people. I remember being overjoyed when I found out Normani was going to live with them. She was finally getting the life we both had dreamed of. A part of me was sad, of course, we grew up together in the orphanage. Mother Theresa said we were abandoned in front of a church when we were just babies. We never knew our real parents.
I let out a deep sigh as I recalled the night Normani and I were separated.
“Noami, I’m leaving now. Take care of yourself, okay?” Normani said while we hugged and cried. We were only seven years old.
“I’ll be fine. Just take care over there, Normani.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll send you lots of dolls and dresses. And if I’m allowed, I’ll visit you all the time. Nothing will change, okay?” she said, smiling through tears.
I didn’t want her to go, but I couldn’t keep her from the kind of life I knew she deserved. In truth, she didn’t even want to go at first. I was the one who pushed her.
“Let’s go, Normani!” the woman who adopted her called. Before getting into the car, she leaned in and whispered to me.
“I’ll always be on your side, Noa, until we meet again.”
“You already know James, I believe? I hired him to watch over you and help you with your tasks. He’ll be your private guard,” the older man said.
I gave a small nod.
“This folder has information about Normani. You can read it, but I’ve already given James a copy. He’ll explain everything. You have one day to prepare yourself, Noami... or should I say, Normani?” the woman said with a smile.
I couldn’t answer. My chest was tight, but I knew I had to go through with this.
“You’re a good girl. As long as you do what we say, we’ll get along just fine. You’ll get a scholarship too. You haven’t started college yet, right?”
I nodded again.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do this for my sister. I won’t let you down.”
I paused. “Can I see her?”
The couple exchanged glances before the man nodded.
“Of course. Head upstairs. James, please go with her.”
James and I walked in silence to one of the rooms.
My hands trembled as I stepped inside. The room was large and bright. It smelled clean and fresh. I could feel James just behind me.
I froze when I saw the bed in the corner. My breath caught.
Normani.
I couldn’t stop the tears. I slowly walked over and sat by her side, gently taking her hand.
There were tubes everywhere. Machines surrounded her.
“N-Normani... After sixteen years apart, this is how I find you?” I whispered, crying.
If not for the rise and fall of her chest, I would’ve thought she was gone.
“I missed you so much. Did you know I got every doll and dress you sent? I kept them all. I wanted to wear them again, but... they don’t fit anymore,” I said with a soft laugh, even as my tears kept falling.
“Don’t get mad, okay? I gave them to the kids at the orphanage before I left. They loved them, Normani.”
I held her hand tighter, wishing she’d move even just a little.
“Why did you have to drive drunk? Since when did you even drink?” I scolded gently, though it felt like a rock was lodged in my chest.
“I heard you’re married now. Is he handsome?” I asked as I stroked her cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”
Then I chuckled. “Right. Of course. We look the same.”
I talked to her for nearly half an hour. She didn’t respond, but I didn’t stop. I told her everything I could. I wanted to believe she could hear me.
James stayed quietly in the background. Watching me like I’d lost it, talking to someone deep in sleep.
I made the most of every second.
Because tomorrow, I would no longer be Noami.
I would be Normani Arvenze—the wife of Dr. Fabio Arvenze.
