My Mother Killed Me For Her Stepdaughter novel Chapter 7

My house. Dad's house.

It was sickeningly clear now. They knew Bethany wasn't Mom's. They knew the blanket was a lucky break. Frank had played the long game, using a fake daughter and crocodile tears to snag a free house. And, as a bonus, get rid of the real daughter.

The depth of their cruelty sent chills down my non-existent spine.

But a part of me, a tiny, vengeful part, almost wanted to stick around to see what would happen when the truth exploded.

It didn't take long.

With the house in her name, Frank's true colors emerged. He treated Mom with barely disguised contempt. Even Bethany's sweet act faded.

But Mom was oblivious, lost in her fantasy of a happy family.

Then came the day that changed everything.

Mom's work was organizing a volunteer trip to the local orphanage. I followed her, drawn to the familiar building. They'd painted it, but it was still the same place I'd spent those lonely years.

The Orphanage director, her hair now streaked with gray, greeted them with a warm smile. Her eyes lingered on Mom's face, then she gasped.

"Excuse me, but are you... were you married to a man named Henry?"

The Orphanage director frowned, thinking. "It was... floral, I think? Light blue, that much I remember. Good quality fabric, too. Whoever left her wasn't exactly poor. Maybe a teenage pregnancy..."

Mom's eyes were wide with dawning horror. "Are you sure... are you talking about the baby Henry adopted?"

"Of course, dear. We do things by the book here. I keep records of everything." As if to prove her point, the Orphanage director led Mom to a small room, shelves stacked with dusty files.

"Here it is. Anya. Such a sweet little thing. Your Henry, he picked her out right away. Said she had your smile." The Orphanage director peered at Mom, her eyes crinkling. "You know, she does look a lot like you now that I think about it."

With each word, Mom seemed to shrink, her face draining of all color. She mumbled a goodbye and practically ran out, leaving the Orphanage director staring after her, concerned.