“She didn’t know,” Angelina repeated. “When we were born, a corrupt nurse sold me to another family. Our parents were told I died. I only discovered the truth recently when I found hospital records. That’s how I found out about Elizabeth… and you, and Mia.”
I stared at her, trying to process what she was saying. “But why pretend to be her mother?”
Angelina’s voice broke as she began to sob. “I lost my daughter in a bus accident. She was only seven. When I saw Mia at the park, she called me ‘Mommy.’ I couldn’t bring myself to tell her the truth. I just wanted to feel that connection again.”
My anger began to fade, replaced by sympathy. Angelina was grieving, just like Mia and me—grief that had led her down this painful path. But this couldn’t continue.
“I’ll tell her,” Angelina said through tears. “I’ll tell Mia who I really am.”
The next day, we sat Mia down. Angelina took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she spoke.
“Mia, sweetie,” she began, her eyes brimming with tears.
Mia’s face lit up. “Did you miss me, Mommy? I told Daddy, but he didn’t believe me.”
Angelina’s voice cracked. “Oh, Mia… I’m not your mommy. I’m her sister—your Aunt Angelina. I’m so sorry I made you think otherwise.”
Mia looked at her, confused. “But you look like Mommy. You gave me chocolates.”
Angelina nodded, tears streaming down her face. “I know, and I’m so sorry. I loved seeing you smile, but I should’ve told you the truth. I didn’t mean to pretend.”
Mia turned to me, searching for answers. “Daddy, is she really my aunt?”
I nodded, squeezing her hand. “Yes, sweetheart. She’s your mommy’s twin sister. We didn’t know about her before, but she’s part of our family now.”
Mia looked back at Angelina. “So… you’re not coming to school anymore?”
Angelina smiled through her tears. “I won’t pretend to be your mommy anymore, but I’d love to be your aunt. We can still spend time together.”
Mia nodded slowly, accepting the new reality in her own way, as only a child could.
From that day forward, Angelina became part of our lives, not as a replacement for Elizabeth, but as a loving aunt and a reminder of the family we didn’t know we had. Together, Mia and I began to heal, with Angelina by our side, helping us rebuild our lives from the pieces of our broken past.