I always felt odd at home. My mother loved my brothers but thought I was wrong. Why? I felt odd in my own house since I reminded her of the one throughout my life. My mother loved my brothers but thought I was wrong. Why? Because I reminded her of the guy she wanted to forget. When I discovered my actual father, things changed—but not as she imagined.
Some claim kids pay for their parents’ decisions. My mother verified it. Though Mom never said it, I always knew I was different—and I discovered why.
I grew up with elder siblings Maya and Tessa. Mom showed them compassion and delight. She purchased new outfits, took them on delightful trips, and showered them with love.
Me? I received their old toys, leftovers, and hand-me-downs. No bedtime tales. No kisses. Just orders.
Wash the dishes, Leah.”
“Leah, vacuum floors.”
Why are you standing there, Leah? ”
Helper, not daughter.
The guy I believed was my dad sought to protect me. He sometimes hugged me quietly and said I was unique. I mattered. I became older, and even he stopped trying. His affection waned. Tension rose.
Arguments ensued.
She’s your daughter! Valerie, my mother, yelled.
“She can’t! She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Neither of us has them! barked.
Someone in the family may have done it! ”
Then let’s test DNA! ”
The conflicts became commonplace. They ended with tears and apologies every time. I never forgot the charges. I wondered.
My patience ran out at fourteen. I worked part-time to escape and make money.
When I saved enough, I covertly ordered a DNA test. After the findings came back, I knew the truth would ruin our family.
Dad was handing a letter to me as I entered.
What’s this? He questioned, glancing at the name.
I said, “Give it back,” heart pumping.
He didn’t. He opened.
Then: “Valerie!” He shouted.
Running, she came. What’s wrong? ”
“Leah, go to your room,” he ordered without looking at me.
I went. But the shouting rocked the house.
Her not mine?! ”
It doesn’t matter! ”
It matters to me! You lied to me for 14 years! ”
“I had no choice! ”
Suddenly, the illusion broke. Not my father. She lied. She cheated.
He tried Maya and Tessa days later. Not his either, Maya. It was just Tessa. His suitcases were packed.
You’re leaving? I inquired from the hallway.
“I must.”
He divorced my mother, supported Tessa, and broke relations with us.
Then my mother’s animosity for me burst. She spat, “This is your fault.” “If you didn’t look like him, none of this would’ve happened.”
She only contacted me when required.
Maya? She remained favored. “You’re my little twin,” my mother cooed, smoothing her hair back. Me? No one saw me.
Mom broke into my room one day. “You’re going to start paying rent,” she added.
“I already buy my own food,” I replied.
“Make money. Only fair.”
“Make Tessa and Maya pay! ”
Eyes narrowed. “You ruined my life! She snapped. Stop talking about fairness! ”
I was broken by it.
Tessa trashed my things. Maya took my cash. “If you looked like Mom, maybe Dad wouldn’t have left,” she continued.
After graduating, I departed. Somehow, my part-time employer landed me a sales job at his son’s firm.
I bought a little flat with my first income. I found tranquility.
But the calls continued. Sisters and mom constantly wanted something. Never checked on me—only demanded money.
One day, I informed her, “I’ll give you nothing else unless you tell me who my real father is.”
He doesn’t want you, she spat. His name is Darren. Go locate him. Just waste time.”
After traveling cross-country with my funds, a stranger answered the door. She lied again.
Furious, I returned.
You gave me the incorrect address! ”
Because he doesn’t want you! She yelled. “You ruin everything! ”
Give me the proper one. You or I’m done.”
She rolled her eyes and wrote another address. This one was five hours closer.
Did the drive. Knocking made my hands sweat.
A guy replied. Mid-fifties. Looked shocked.
Are you Darren? ”
“Yes.”
“I believe I am your daughter.”
He watched. Then, “You are.”
“You—know me? ”
Of course. Come in.”
His house was warm. Photos of relatives dotted the walls. Everyone I never had.
“I paid child support for years,” he claimed. “But your mother said you hated me. She said you never wanted to meet me.”
A knot formed in my throat. “She said you left me.”
“That’s not true. I want your presence.”
I first experienced love.
We communicated. The wife and kids accepted me without hesitation when he introduced me. He gave me a folder one day.
“A house,” he said. You own it.”
Oh, I gasped. “What? ”
“The least I can do. For wasted years.”
I sobbed in his arms. Nothing was ever handed to me without ties. Until now.
My house became refuge. Peace didn’t last.
When I saw Maya in the supermarket, I casually mentioned my new home.
She froze. No smile. Walked away.
My neighbor contacted a few days later when I was on business. “Two women just moved into your house,” she added. I suspect your mother and sister.”
I panicked driving home. There they were.
Mom used the sofa like hers. Maya watching TV.
“Why are you here?! ”
Mom was unfazed. We were displaced. We’ll remain with you.”
You didn’t ask! ”
Stop being dramatic.”
“There are only two bedrooms,” Maya added. “You can sleep on the couch.”
The blood boiled. “Why not visit Tessa? ”
“She has kids. Quite crowded.”
“You not staying here.”
Standing, mom screwed her face. “I raised you! ”
“You used me! ”
If you don’t let us remain, I’ll sue for the home! ”
“You have no legal right! ”
We won’t leave! Maya snapped.
I grabbed my phone. “Fine. Ask the police.”
When I began chatting to the dispatcher, they seemed panicked. They departed with their belongings.
That was my final sighting.
Just replaced the locks. Blocked their numbers. Moved on.
I was only remembered when required. I discovered the guy who always loved me, therefore I finally felt loved.
I never looked back.
