What They Never Told Me

The next morning, the phone rang, and my mom snatched it up instantly. Holding the receiver, she stared at my dad with this weird look, nodding and shaking her head like she couldn't decide what emotion to land on.Finally, she hung up and dropped to her knees, full-on sobbing."Natalie was on that plane. They said... she's gone. Not even a body was recovered..."The airline said they're coming over later to take blood samples—to confirm if Natalie was really our daughter."Why would they need to test for that? Don't I know she's my daughter?"Her voice cracked as she kept crying, shaking with grief.My dad crouched beside her, helping her up. His face wasn't exactly sad, though. It was more... off. Like he was trying to hide something."They're coming. We can't stop them," he said, his tone careful. "Just be ready. When they get here, we cooperate. If they can find Natalie... that's what matters."Mom slowly nodded, though her reluctance was plain. She turned to Chad. "When th

Mom shot Dad a look, then dove into his bag like it was Black Friday and yanked out the family record file. Dropping to the ground—full drama mode—she started wailing."My daughter! How could my daughter belong to someone else? How do you even screw up something this huge?!"Dad gave her one of those side-eyes, then glanced at Chad like. With a heavy sigh, he grabbed the file and stomped over to the staff."Is this some kind of joke?!" he barked. "How does my daughter suddenly not related to me? Look at the records—Natalie Saun is our eldest daughter!"Dad shoved the file at the staff, so close it was basically an inch from smacking his face.The staff member froze, then double-checked their list. Finally, he leaned in and mumbled, "Sir, according to the DNA results, Natalie Saun is a match for a woman named Madelyn Dalton."And not just her—she also matches another crash victim, whose name was—""I don't care who you think she matches!" Dad cut in, practically yelling now. "Nat

At the police station, Gianna cranked the drama up to eleven—sobbing, flopping around, and basically acting like a widow in mourning. The louder the officers told her to chill, the louder she got. It took two of them to shove her into a chair so they could finally start the interrogation."Mrs. Saun, if you keep this up, we'll book you for obstruction of justice," one officer said, clearly over it.That finally shut her up. Then she whipped her head around, fake-offended, and shrieked, "I'm innocent! That woman is trying to steal my daughter! She just wants the compensation money! You have to help me!"Meanwhile, Madelyn stood there. She handed a file to the officer in charge and said, calm and steady, "My daughter's been missing for twenty-six years. I've spent all that time searching for her."She added, "This file has everything I've collected over the years. I came forward now because I've finally found proof. This couple kidnapped my daughter."While Gianna was spinning out,

Madelyn carried a small container of soil mixed with my ashes to the tiny apartment I'd once rented.She explained everything to the landlord, who handed over the spare key with a regretful look.At the door, her hands shook as she fumbled with the lock, trying a few times before it finally gave way.Once inside, she closed the door hard behind her, then collapsed onto the floor, her sobs breaking the silence.I crouched beside her, my eyes darting around the room. Every little piece of my old life hit me like a gut punch.If I hadn't agreed to spend Christmas at Gianna's, I'd still be in my bed, binging my favorite shows, snacking, and living my life how I wanted.Madelyn cried for what felt like forever before pulling herself together. Slowly, she packed my things into the boxes she'd brought."Sienna, Mommy's here now."That was my real name: Sienna Sinclair.Her voice cracked as she added, "I spent twenty-six years looking for you. I never thought you'd be on the same plan