Determined to uncover the truth, Emily changed into more comfortable clothes and ventured up to the attic, shining her flashlight upon a chest filled with Jack\u2019s belongings. It was in this dimly lit attic that she hoped to find the answers she longed for.\n\n\n\n

Jack\u2019s sudden passing had left Emily grappling with grief and the challenges of motherhood. One moment they were planning a family holiday, and the next, she received a call informing her of Jack\u2019s tragic accident\u2014a fatal brain aneurysm that led to a car accident and his untimely demise.\n\n\n\n

Struggling to cope with her loss and the newfound role as a mother, Emily enlisted the help of her brother to pack Jack\u2019s belongings away in the attic. Now, consumed by the need for answers regarding her son\u2019s adoption, she stumbled upon an envelope covered in Jack\u2019s handwriting within his box of belongings.
\n\n\n\n

Inside the letter, Jack had poured his heart out to Emily, revealing a shocking truth. \u201cI\u2019ve been lying to you for almost a year,\u201d he had written. Emily clutched the letter to her chest, tears streaming down her face, as she absorbed the weight of the revelations within.\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Damon found himself revisiting the facility where his ex-wife, Naomi, resided\u2014a place he hadn\u2019t seen in three years. The atmosphere was heavy with unease, exemplified by silent orderlies and patients lost in their own worlds.\n\n\n\n

\u201cI told you not to come back here, Damon,\u201d Naomi coldly greeted him.\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, but this is important. Can you tell me what happened the night Jordan was born?\u201d Damon pleaded.
\n\n\n\n

Naomi\u2019s face twisted with a frown, her head lowered as she answered, \u201cI already told you, Damon. The tall man told me to leave, so I did. I don\u2019t remember anything else!\u201d\n\n\n\n

Damon and Naomi had been college sweethearts, initially full of joy. Their happiness multiplied when Naomi fell pregnant shortly after Damon joined a prestigious firm. However, their joy morphed into worry as Naomi developed preeclampsia, a health complication that brought severe headaches and blurry vision.\n\n\n\n

Naomi\u2019s reaction to her diagnosis was extreme. She quit her job, abandoned her doctor, and chose to confine herself to their home. But her condition worsened, and she grew increasingly paranoid, often speaking of a threat to their unborn child. This paranoia escalated, culminating in an incident during a shopping trip when she claimed she had been warned of danger by a tall man, despite no such encounter having taken place.\n\n\n\n

As Naomi\u2019s mental health deteriorated, Damon convinced her to see a psychologist, an appointment that unraveled shocking information. The psychologist diagnosed Naomi with stress-induced schizophrenia and revealed a long-hidden family history of the condition. This revelation shed light on her erratic behavior, but it further complicated their journey since treating her schizophrenia became entangled with managing her preeclampsia.
\n\n\n\n

Approaching Naomi\u2019s due date, Damon\u2019s anticipation of their child\u2019s birth wrestled with the fear and concern he felt for his wife. Tragically, with only a little over a month left in her pregnancy, Naomi vanished, leaving no trace behind. Damon reported her disappearance, but she seemed to have vanished into thin air.\n\n\n\n

Damon\u2019s nights were consumed by an exhaustive search for Naomi. He scoured every familiar place, desperate to find any trace of her. The search ultimately came to an end with a call from the police\u2014a call that informed Damon that Naomi had been found in an alley, in labor, and hurriedly taken to the hospital.\n\n\n\n

Overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions, Damon rushed to the hospital, where Naomi, in the process of recovering and holding their newborn son, Jordan, dropped a bombshell. \u201cI\u2019m divorcing you,\u201d she declared. \u201cAnd I\u2019m giving up my parental rights.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Now, years later, sitting across from Naomi, Damon found himself seeking answers about their past. \u201cNaomi, did you give birth to twins?\u201d he asked tentatively.\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, there were no twins,\u201d Naomi replied, her thoughts clouded by her condition. \u201cThere was Jordan and a parasite. The tall man helped me\u2026 he took it away.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Emily, grappling with her own crisis, sobbed as she read Jack\u2019s letter. He had confessed to knowing about his inoperable cerebral aneurysm but had hidden it from her, not wanting her to worry. He also revealed that he had discovered a newborn in an alley and had falsified adoption papers for Bradley.\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026I took the baby and called the police. I had planned to hand the child over to the authorities, but when I looked down at his innocent face, I knew he was perfect for you. I brought him home and convinced Michael to falsify the details on the adoption papers within this envelope. While they may pass a cursory inspection, they will not hold up in court. I\u2019m sorry I couldn\u2019t do better for you, my beloved Emily.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Clutching the letter tightly to her chest, Emily sobbed uncontrollably. She pondered whether to share with Damon the possibility that Bradley could be his biological son. But just as she hesitated, Damon\u2019s call came through.\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just spoke with my ex-wife, Naomi,\u201d Damon sighed, settling into his car. \u201cShe has schizophrenia and mentioned something bizarre about the night Jordan was born. It\u2019s important, Emily.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome over, Damon. I\u2019ve found something, too,\u201d she replied.\n\n\n\n

At Emily\u2019s home, Damon poured out Naomi\u2019s unsettling story. \u201cShe believed she was carrying twins\u2026 she thought one was a parasite. It\u2019s possible she put the baby in a dumpster.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Emily interrupted, stating, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t believe the baby was left in a dumpster,\u201d as she handed Damon Jack\u2019s letter.\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, Jack saved my son?\u201d Damon realized, his eyes scanning the revealing document.\n\n\n\n

Emily, now pleading desperately, said, \u201cPlease, don\u2019t take Bradley away. I know you have every right to, but please, don\u2019t. We need him.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo one\u2019s taking me!\u201d Bradley burst into the room, gripping Jack\u2019s hunting rifle tightly. \u201cI won\u2019t let anyone take me anywhere!\u201d\n\n\n\n

Immediately, Damon raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, reassuring Bradley, \u201cI\u2019m not here to take you, Bradley. You are Emily\u2019s son, and nothing will change that.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Emily, overcome with emotions, threw her arms around Damon\u2019s neck, tears flowing freely onto his shoulder. Damon gently rubbed her back, comforting her. After a few moments, Emily stepped back with a grateful smile, her eyes filled with gratitude, and rose to face her son.\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease, Bradley, put the rifle down,\u201d Emily pleaded. \u201cI hate that you overheard so much, but we can\u2019t change that now. Just sit down, and Damon and I will explain everything.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cDamon?\u201d Bradley\u2019s eyebrows raised in surprise as he carefully set the gun against the wall. \u201cYou mean the same Damon you went on a date with earlier?\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, but we need to explain something else,\u201d Emily said softly. Bradley took a seat, giving his full attention as Emily and Damon revealed the shocking truth to him.\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, he\u2019s my father, and I have a twin brother?\u201d Bradley asked, his voice tinged with pain.\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe believe so,\u201d Emily nodded. \u201cA DNA test will confirm it.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy me? Why did she give me up and not my brother?\u201d Bradley asked Damon, his anguish palpable.\n\n\n\n

Gently, Damon explained, \u201cNaomi was very sick. She was suffering from schizophrenia and was confused. She believed that only one child survived. She asked Jack to take you.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll undergo a DNA test and figure out our path forward. If the results confirm everything, we\u2019ll be a family,\u201d Damon answered, squeezing Emily\u2019s hand.\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis has turned out to be quite the first date, hasn\u2019t it?\u201d Damon said, glancing at Emily with a slight smile.\n\n\n\n

Emily chuckled, a high-pitched, nervous laugh escaping her lips. \u201cYou can definitely say that!\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know this is a lot to process, Bradley,\u201d Damon addressed the young man. \u201cWe will handle this together, as a family. Emily and I want what\u2019s best for you, and we\u2019re here to support you through all of this.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Bradley nodded slowly, still overwhelmed by the weight of the information. \u201cI just need some time to think, you know?\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Emily replied, concern etched on her face. \u201cTake all the time you need, sweetheart. We\u2019re in no rush. This will be a journey we navigate together.\u201d\n\n\n\n

As Bradley excused himself and headed upstairs, Emily turned to Damon, a mix of gratitude and uncertainty expressed in her eyes.\n\n\n\n

Damon sighed, gently running a hand through his hair. \u201cFirst, I need to inform Jordan, but we can do that in the morning. Then, we\u2019ll proceed with the DNA test. Once we have the results, we can determine how to approach the future as a family.\u201d Meeting Emily\u2019s gaze, he added, \u201cNo matter what, we\u2019ll face it together.\u201d\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"