When I heard the lawyer's words, the ground gave way under my feet.
I couldn't believe that this man in a business suit was telling the truth. He said his father died 20 years ago. Why is the issue of inheritance being raised now?
-I'm sorry, but I don't understand. I was a child when my father died. And he had no assets – I told the lawyer. He was prepared for my question. He pulled out the file and said:
-The thing is, your father had another family. He wanted you to know the truth when you were of age.
At that point my legs started shaking, so I decided to sit down in a chair. I couldn't wrap my head around all this information. How could my father have another family ? Did my mother even know about it ?
The lawyer handed me an envelope with an address. My heart was pounding like crazy and I couldn't breathe normally. I opened it quietly and started reading: “Hello, daughter. If you received this letter, it means I'm no longer alive. You will finally learn the truth that I've been hiding for so long. You have to forgive me, even though it will be very difficult. You have a brother and a sister.”
The words literally flew before my eyes, so I had to read some lines several times. I couldn't understand why they had kept it a secret for so long. Honestly, I didn't remember how I got home. I couldn't believe that this was really happening and not some stupid dream. My mother knew from the look on my face that something was wrong.
I tried to contain my anger and rage at my father's betrayal. When I caught my breath, I said to my mother,
-Did you know that dad had other children? – My mother's face changed. She wanted to say something, but it was like she couldn't find the words. From her silence and posture, I could tell that she knew. She knew that he had another family.
-I'm sorry, but I didn't mean to hurt you. I planned to tell you everything, but when you were ready. I didn't want you to grow up with a heartache.
That made it hurt even more. Why did she think I wouldn't be able to accept this information? I was so disgusted and hurt that I decided to go to my room.
Time passed. I still hadn't spoken to my mother. I couldn't trust her anymore, because I could sense a lie in every word she said. I decided to find out more about my brother and sister, who, by the way, also received letters from my father. I decided to meet up with them. We agreed to meet on neutral ground. When I saw my sister, I felt something familiar about her. She smiled and waved at me, and my brother frowned. He was clearly not too happy about this meeting.
When we sat down at a table in the café, there was silence. We simply didn't know where to start this conversation.
-I didn't know that my father had other children – I said — and now I'm experiencing strange emotions that I can't handle.
-We didn't know either. Mom said dad was far away. It turned out he just had another family — my brother looked at me with resentment. His words hurt me. He must have felt the same emotions. We had all been betrayed by someone we loved in a mean and unfair way.
A few months passed. We kept in touch. Gradually I realized that I missed these people in my life. It was great to have a brother and sister. The pain and disappointment gradually subsided and there was nothing I could do to change it. My father must have had his own reasons for doing so.
It took me a long time to rebuild my relationship with my mother. I couldn't forgive her for her silence, but over time I came to terms with it and accepted her choice. Besides, everyone is entitled to make mistakes, and I have a large family now. Although my relatives came into my life in a very unusual way.
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