avid had booked. He was at the center of it all, a glass of whiskey in his hand, recounting Lily'

the perfect family. Successful, loving, generous. A testament

glass for attention. The room fell silent. She looked radiant under the s

say this all the time, but I am so, so lucky. When I think about my life, I know none

at us. David was already wi

for dramatic effect. "They taught me, they supported me, they loved me unconditionally. You aren' t just th

eyes. "You've done such a wonderful job, Sarah," my friend Clar

er biological mother, demanding I sign over the deed to my house. She claimed it was the least I could do to compensate for the "emotional trauma" of being

d, gone. Then the final, gut-wrenching discovery: my retirement account, which she had gained access to by forging my signat

y speak. She had simply stared at me, her expression hardening, and delivere

on started near the entrance of the restaurant. Two figures, a man and a woma

a and Gary Johnson

urant manager was trying to speak with them, but Brenda pushed

her voice raspy. "Is t

ightened around her protectively. "Who are you

trailing behind her like a shadow. "We didn't mean to intrude," she said, her voi

ilence. All eyes were on Lily,

her knees, her hands clasped in front of her as if

ng for you for so long! We never wanted to give you up. We were just poor kid

and helpless. He was the weak accomplic

kneeling woman on the floor to David and me, her ey

lk to you. Let us explain. We miss you so much. You have a brother, Lily.

ts forced into an impossible decision. It was a masterpiece of manipulatio

in, and she never escaped. She had looked at me with pleading eyes

watched as Lily took a tentative step towards the woman o