Chapter 9
In the spotless private clinic.]]
“After they took you away, where did you end up?“]
Tyler’s voice was totally flat, like he was talking about someone else:
That school nurse pressed assault charges. I did two years in juvie.“]]
The day I got out, my parents handed me a check and said to pretend they never had a kid. I took the money and left the country.“[]
He turned to look at me with this slight smile:[]
“Remember? You said I didn’t have that extra Y chromosome thing. I got a full genetic and behavioral workup done overseas. Turns out you were right.“|[]
“I washed dishes and went to school at the same time. Lucky for me, I’m not totally stupid.” He held up a vial of medicine, his voice mixing sarcasm with pride. “Got myself an MD. Finally get to save people the right way.“[]
“Aria, you’re free now. What do you want to do with your life?“]
looked at the TV in his clinic. The news was on:[]
“Notorious crime boss sentenced today after years–long trial. Multiple convictions result in life imprisonment without parole.“[]
I watched that so–called “father” of mine disappear from the screen.[]
The last twisted connection I had to that old life finally snapped.[]
“Let’s get out of here.“]
er.]
A few years later.
I was wearing an elegant business suit, being interviewed on TV.
Gabriel recognized me almost immediately. He pulled every string he had to get an invitation to this tech conference.
Under the bright camera lights, I answered questions smoothly.]
My eyes casually swept the crowd and landed on a teenage girl who looked shockingly like me. She was staring at me with pure admiration and curiosity.[]
She nervously pushed through the crowd, her voice clear and young:[]
“You look just like the big sister from my dreams…“[]
I looked into her completely innocent eyes and felt something stir deep inside me.[]
It was Grace. She’d gotten so big.
I smiled and gently touched the top of her head.[]
That’s when Gabriel came walking over fast.[]
He looked way older–gray hair, tired eyes, moving like he was scared I’d disappear.]]
His voice cracked: “I know nothing I say matters now, but please…“]
I stopped him, my voice flat: “Save it.”
At least he tried to find the truth eventually.[]
I wasn’t angry anymore. Time had worn that away. Now I just felt… nothing.
“I don’t blame you.“]
Right when I said that, someone came flying at us![]
Mom was dressed in expensive clothes, but she looked rough underneath all the makeup.
She grabbed my wrist super hard, totally frantic:[]
15.8%
Chapter 9
“Aria! Come home with me. I’ll fix everything.”
“Your grandmother’s gone now–nobody can stop us from being together!”
Looking at her desperate face, I almost laughed.]]
I pulled my hand away slowly-
“Grandma never kept me away from home.“[]
“You did, Mom. It was always you.”
Her crying made security come over.
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They got between us real quick. Tyler showed up and took my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.[]
He didn’t even look at them–just walked me through the crowd and we left.[]
Tyler and I got engaged later.[]
Mom started camping out by my lab and apartment, crying and begging to see me.[]
I never answered the door.[]
On my wedding day, someone called to say she’d taken too many sleeping pills.[]
A lawyer brought her will. She left me everything–all that money, all the stuff she’d built using me.
I looked at the papers but didn’t sign anything.[]
I sold it all and started a scholarship for girls.[]
Tyler held my hand tight. We looked at each other and smiled.[]
Gabriel spent his last years alone, giving money to charities–probably trying to feel better about everything.[]
Grace grew up happy and healthy. She loved telling people the famous scientist was her dream sister.
Everything worked out in the end.[]
The sun felt warm on my face às I finally walked away from that house of lies and started living my actual life.
