Lila stared out of her bedroom window, watching the world move on as if nothing had changed, while her own life felt like it had been upended. Meeting Aiden had reopened old wounds and reignited emotions she wasn't sure she was ready to face. Their conversation had been honest, raw and filled with promises, but trust wasn't something that could be rebuilt overnight.
Damon's words echoed in her mind. "You get to choose who you want to be." For the first time in days, she felt like she had a small sliver of control over her life. She resolved to confront her parents once and for all. If she was going to find peace, the truth had to come from them directly.
That evening, Lila joined her parents in the living room. Her mother looked up from the television, startled by Lila's determined expression. Her father lowered his newspaper, sensing the tension in the air.
"Mom. Dad," Lila began, her voice steady. "We need to talk. No more deflections. No more half-truths. I want the whole story and I want it now."
Her mother glanced nervously at her father, who sighed heavily and set the paper aside. "Lila, it's complicated," her father said.
"It's not more complicated than living a lie," Lila shot back. "You owe me the truth."
Her mother's eyes brimmed with tears. "We were trying to protect you, Lila. It was never meant to hurt you."
"Protect me from what?!" Lila demanded, her frustration spilling over. "From knowing who I really am? From the fact that my whole life has been a façade?"
Her father leaned forward, his tone measured but somber. "You're right, Lila. You deserve to know the truth. It's time."
Her mother took a shaky breath, and her voice trembled as she began. "You were born to another family, Lila. Your biological mother… she was my sister."
Lila froze, the words sinking in like a stone in her chest. "Your sister?"
Her mother nodded, tears streaming down her face. "She was young, alone and couldn't raise you. We stepped in to give you a stable life, to love you as our own. We thought we were doing the right thing."
"And my father?" Lila asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her father spoke next. "Your biological father disappeared before you were born. We don't know where he is or if he's even alive."
Lila's mind raced as the puzzle pieces began to fit together. Her parents had taken her in out of love and obligation, but they had also built a wall of lies around her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice breaking. "Why did you wait until now?"
Her mother reached for her, but Lila took a step back. "Because we were afraid," her mother said. "Afraid of losing you. Afraid you'd hate us."
Lila's heart clenched. "You should have trusted me. You should have trusted that I could handle the truth."
Her father's expression was solemn. "You're right, Lila. We made a mistake. And we're sorry."
For a long moment, silence filled the room. Lila felt the weight of their words pressing down on her, but amidst the anger and betrayal, she also felt a flicker of understanding. They had made a terrible choice, but it had been driven by love.
"I need time," Lila finally said. "I can't forgive you yet, but I'll try to understand."
Her parents nodded, their faces etched with guilt and relief. "Take all the time you need," her father said.
Later that night, Lila sat alone with the journal she had found earlier. Knowing what she now did, she began to piece together the entries, trying to get a sense of the aunt she had never known. Her biological mother's words painted a picture of a woman who was scared but determined, someone who had loved her deeply despite the impossible circumstances.
Flipping through the pages, Lila found a letter tucked inside, addressed to her. The handwriting was shaky but unmistakably heartfelt.
"My dearest Lila,
If you're reading this, it means you've discovered the truth. I hope you can forgive me for the choices I made. I gave you to your aunt because I wanted you to have the life I couldn't give you. Know that I loved you with all my heart and that my decision was made out of that love. You're stronger than you think, and I believe in you. Always."
Lila's tears blurred the words as she held the letter close. For the first time since this ordeal began, she felt a sense of connection, not just to the woman who gave her life but to herself.