It felt cold–not because of the hospital hallway’s temperature, but because of the uncertainty hanging like a thick fog in my chest.
I sat hugging my arms, palms sweaty, and my legs bouncing uncontrollably. There were plenty of sounds around me–footsteps, the rattle of nurse trolleys, doors opening and closing–but they all echoed faintly, far from the ‘reality I was about to face.
The door finally opened.§
Thump.
The doctor came out first, followed by Mr. Hilton and two others I had never seen before. Mr. Hilton’s face beamed with a joy he couldn’t hide. But the two people behind him, a man and a woman in their forties, looked at me like I was a riddle they hadn’t agreed on.} “What’s the result?” I asked, my voice nearly trembling. I stood slowly, afraid of what the answer might be.
The doctor handed me a white envelope. My hands shook as I pulled out the results. I didn’t need to read all the numbers and medical terms–the key sentence jumped straight at me.
“DNA match: 99.98%. The subject tested is a direct biological relation.“>
My eyes widened. “I… I’m your biological granddaughter?“}
“Yes, Lea,” Mr. Hilton replied softly, his voice thick with emotion. “You are my flesh and blood.”
My voice cracked. “How is this possible…”
“It may sound unbelievable,” said the woman to his right, her tone sharp and cold as steel. “But it’s the truth.“}
“Jenny, watch your tone,” Mr. Hilton gently scolded. “Lea’s not used to your… bluntness.“}
The woman–Jenny–snorted and looked away. “Father…“>
Mr. Hilton introduced them. Jenny Hilton, my mother’s younger sister. And the man beside her, Jimmy Hilton–my mother’s older brother. That meant… they were my uncle and aunt.}
I only nodded, still trying to process everything. It felt like my world had flipped.}
They brought me to the Hilton family’s penthouse.
A towering building, intimidating, with sleek windows reflecting the overcast sky. Inside, luxury welcomed me as if I had always belonged in this world.
“This penthouse is yours now,” said Mr. Hilton.
I shook my head immediately. “No. This… it’s too much. I don’t have the right-”
“You do, Lea,” Jimmy interrupted firmly. “You’re Catalina Hilton’s daughter. The rightful heir.”
I fell silent. That name… it struck harder than I expected.}
Mr. Hilton took out a photo. A beautiful young woman with a gentle smile. My eyes widened. That face–it looked like me. But it wasn’t me.”
“She was your mother, Catalina. She broke off an arranged marriage I had set up and ran away with the man she loved. I was angry, we were all disappointed. But,.. she chose her own path. The last we heard, she was pregnant.“> Jenny cut in, still cold. “It was Jimmy who kept searching for her behind everyone’s back.” Jimmy lowered his gaze. “When I found out Catalina had died… I knew I had to find her child.”
Mr. Hilton looked at me gently. “At the New Year’s party hosted by your father–in–law, I saw you for the first time. Your face reminded me of Catalina instantly. But when I asked, Armstrong said you were the daughter of an old friend. He didn’t recognize Catalina.“}
Jenny sneered. “Maybe Armstrong himself got Catalina pregnant.”
I stiffened. “That’s impossible! If he did, there’s no way Sean and I could have married!“}
“Exactly,” Mr. Hilton nodded. “That’s not possible.“}
We all fell silent. But our minds were racing. Why did Mr. Armstrong adopt me? Why arrange my marriage to Sean? And why give me an inheritance?}
“Whatever the reason behind all this,” Jenny said, arms crossed, “you’re a Hilton now. You’re not some girl who can be stepped on and abandoned by someone like Sean. Don’t repeat your mother’s mistake. If you’re weak, you’ll end up like her.“@
Her words stung–but they weren’t wrong. I felt anger… but also a swelling warmth.>
Mr. Hilton sighed. “Forgive Jenny. She still carries wounds about Catalina.“}
I nodded slowly. Tunderstood. Old wounds don’t heal just with time. Especially not ones like this.
I bowed my head and spoke quietly. “I’m sorry for what my mother did.”
My aunt and uncle remained silent, watching me closely.
“I’ll do my best… to be someone you can rely on,” I continued, squaring my shoulders. “I won’t betray your trust.” Aunt Jenny crossed her arms again, but her expression softened. “Just make sure you don’t repeat her mistakes.”” I nodded.
Uncle Jimmy gently patted my shoulder, as if silently telling me–he accepted me.& Aunt Jenny gave a small smile. “Good. Starting tomorrow, you’re under my care.”
11:56 PM |
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Aunt Jenny gave a small smile. “Good. Starting tomorrow, you’re under my care.“}]
སྙ པ་་
But Mr. Hilton quickly added, “I’ve already entrusted her to Kenzo.”
Aunt Jenny protested immediately. “No! She needs to focus on her future. And the first thing she needs to stay away from… is any man with betrayal potential!”
I turned to Mr. Hilton. He nodded, leaving the decision to me.§
“I… I’ll go with Aunt Jenny,” I answered firmly.“]
Jenny finally smiled–truly smiled–for the first time.
Jimmy came closer and brushed my hair gently. “I’ll help you grow, too.”
The wall I’d been holding up crumbled. My tears fell, unstoppable.
“Hey, why are you making her cry?” Aunt Jenny snapped at Uncle Jimmy.
Jimmy turned, confused. “What? I just brushed her hair…”
I sobbed harder. My voice cracked between shallow breaths. “My mom… she used to do that. I thought… I’d never feel it again. I thought that warmth was gone forever…“}
The dam broke. All the longing I’d buried poured out. Right there. Among people I barely knew… but somehow felt like home.
My body trembled. My heart pounded, as if greeting the rhythm of others now beating beside mine.”
My breath caught as the three of them stepped in and hugged me together. The embrace was warm–not rushed, not hesitant–just full of gomfort and unconditional acceptance.
I returned the hug tightly. My fingers clutched the fabric on Aunt Jenny’s back, afraid this was all just an illusion.
In that moment, I was no longer Lea, the girl who had no one.
I had a place to come home to.
And for the first time in my life… I truly felt like I belonged to a family.
After the warm embrace and the tears had finally dried, Aunt Jenny stood tall. Her expression shifted–no longer gentle, but sharp and calculating.
“We need to hold a celebration,” she said firmly. “Invite the Armstrong family. Let them see… the woman they once underestimated.”
–
