Chapter 4
800words
Bianca turned to face me, wearing a victorious smile. "Finally," she said. "Now we'll see who's been lying."
Victoria pulled an envelope from her bag, her fingers trembling slightly. "The results are clear," she said, her gaze moving between Bianca and me.
Logan walked to Victoria's side and reached for the envelope. "Let me see," he said, tension in his voice.
I stood there feeling as if time had stopped. This result would determine my future, my identity, everything.
Logan opened the envelope and took out the paper inside. His eyes quickly scanned the text, his expression becoming unreadable.
"According to DNA analysis," he read slowly, "the parent-child relationship between Bianca and Victoria Blackwood is confirmed at 99.9%."
I felt dizzy, as if the ground were shaking beneath me. This couldn't be. This absolutely couldn't be.
"I knew it!" Bianca cheered, her face lighting up with triumph. "I knew I was the Blackwood daughter!"
She turned to me, malice gleaming in her eyes. "See that, Zoe? Science doesn't lie."
Victoria walked toward Bianca, tears in her eyes. "My daughter," she said softly, extending her arms to embrace Bianca.
I stood there feeling deeply confused and desperate. If Bianca truly was Daphne Blackwood, then who was I? Were my memories real?
"This can't be," I whispered, more to myself than to them. "I remember... I remember being adopted..."
But my memories were so foggy, so uncertain. Did I truly remember the adoption process? Or was this just a story I'd told myself over the years?
Logan looked at me, his brow furrowed. There was a strange doubt in his eyes, as if he too were pondering the same questions. But he didn't speak, just turned away to stand beside Victoria and Bianca.
"DNA doesn't lie," Victoria said gently. "Bianca is my daughter."
Bianca stood proudly beside Victoria, as if she'd finally found her rightful place. Her arm wrapped around Victoria's waist, her face wearing a satisfied smile.
"We can finally be a family," she said, her voice full of emotion. "After so many years apart, it's finally over."
I felt sick. Her performance was so perfect, so convincing. And there I stood, like a madwoman clinging to what was clearly a false memory.
"We should celebrate," Victoria said, trying to ease the tension. "Perhaps lunch together?"
"Wonderful," Bianca immediately agreed. "I know a great restaurant nearby."
She turned to Logan with a sweet smile. "Will you join us, Logan?"
Logan hesitated, his gaze moving between Bianca and me. "Of course," he finally said.
I stood there feeling like an outsider, an unwelcome intruder. My world was collapsing, and I was powerless to stop it.
"I... I should get back to work," I said quietly, turning to leave.
"Wait," Logan suddenly said. "Zoe, you should come too."
Bianca's smile instantly vanished. "Why?" she almost hissed. "She's not family."
"But she's your sister, isn't she?" Logan said calmly. "You grew up together."
Victoria looked uncomfortable but nodded. "Yes, of course, Zoe can come too."
Anger flashed in Bianca's eyes, but she quickly resumed smiling. "Of course," she said sweetly. "My sister is certainly welcome."
The restaurant was elegant and expensive, far beyond my usual means. I sat there feeling out of place, like a mismatched puzzle piece.
Bianca talked endlessly about her "childhood memories," each detail carefully woven, each story filled with emotion.
I watched this scene feeling deeply disconnected. These memories sounded so real, so specific. But they weren't my memories. What I remembered was a cold attic, worn clothes, and never enough food.
"Zoe, are you alright?" Logan's voice pulled me back to reality.
I looked up to find everyone watching me. My hands were shaking—I hadn't even noticed.
"I'm... I'm fine," I managed to say.
"You don't look well," Victoria said with concern. "Perhaps you should rest."
Bianca put her hand on my shoulder with fake concern. "Yes, sister, you look exhausted."
Her fingers tightened on my shoulder, almost painfully. "Perhaps you should go home and rest," she suggested, her voice sweet but her eyes full of warning.
I knew she wanted me gone so she could have Victoria and Logan's attention all to herself. But I didn't want to give her that satisfaction.
"I'm fine," I insisted, forcing myself to smile. "Just a bit... shocked."
"Understandable," Logan said, his eyes carefully observing me. "This is a big change for everyone."
After lunch, Bianca suggested showing Victoria around the company. "I want to show you my office," she said excitedly. "I've done many important projects here."
Victoria happily agreed, while Logan said he had some work to attend to.
I was left alone, not knowing how to face this reality.
