Chapter 3Five Years Gone, They Thought I Was Dead

Caleb froze, then quickly strode after me.

"Tomorrow is your dad's fiftieth birthday. He really misses you. Make sure you come early."

I paused for a second, then quickened my pace.

I hadn't had a father for five years.

Five years ago, at my mom's funeral, Robert Hayes brought his illegitimate daughter home and brazenly acknowledged her identity in front of all our relatives.

"I just made a small mistake, one every man makes."

"Maya was raised outside for over twenty years. I only brought her home after your mom died. I've done right by your mom."

So, as compensation, he allowed Maya to take my room, my jewelry.

He let her play the "innocent little sister" while she meddled in my relationship with Caleb.

Even when I was in a car crash and rushed to the operating room, when the nurses called him to sign consent forms, he said:

"Today is my younger daughter's wedding day, and a hospital is such a place with bad vibes, I can't go. I know Audrey; she's always been dramatic. Broken bones and massive bleeding? She's making it up. You're a hospital for saving lives, don't play along with her. My daughter needs me; the wedding is about to start. Don't call me again."

Lying on the operating table, I could clearly feel the sympathetic, pitying glances of the doctors and nurses around me.

Perhaps they'd never seen anyone so utterly abandoned by their entire family before.

My thoughts snapped back to the present. I pulled down my sleeve to cover the scars on my arm and hailed a taxi back to my hotel.

That evening, I lay in my hotel bed, video calling my husband and son.

My husband, Jaxson, who grew up abroad, is incredibly sweet and clingy, just like our child. He can't go a day without me.

"Wife, my dad says he misses home too. He's packing his bags now and will be flying back with us tomorrow morning."

My non-biological brother, Brandon Sterling, poked his head into the video frame.

"That's right, Sis. Dad and I discussed it. Moving Aunt Carol's plot is a big deal, we have to be there. Plus, Dad and I can inspect our domestic businesses. You're alone in the country, so remember to eat well and stay warm. Your knee isn't doing great."

The car accident five years ago left permanent scars on my knee.

Brandon, who was my senior at university at the time, was the first to recognize my helplessness.

During those five years in France, he took me into his home, treated me as his sister, and helped me create a new identity. My godfather, David Sterling, spoiled me like his own daughter.

They were my real family.

I smiled and nodded, chatting a little longer before reluctantly hanging up.

The feeling of being cared for by family, it truly was wonderful.