I reach home and look for Mom. I find her in her room, reading a magazine. She looks up at me, smiles and gestures me to come sit next to her. I go inside and sit beside her before throwing my arms around her. I start to sob and she hugs me tightly. I couldn't even stay away from her for almost 24 hours, how will I ever stay away from her forever. After I calm down, she wipes my cheeks and gives me a soft kiss on my forehead. I smile involuntary.

"You okay?", she asks concerned filled in her tone. I shake my head.

"Talk to me sweetheart. Please talk to me.", she begs me pulling me into another hug.

"I don't want this. This is hard and it hurts.", I whine.

"I know Sweetie! But you can't help it can you. You have to be back with your real parents. Right?", she tucks a stray hair behind my ear. I look at her shocked. Did she just say I have to go back with my biological parents?

"Mom, why do you want me go"

"Because we are not your parents. Because you are not......... not our daughter. And a child must go to live with their parents."

"But you guys are my parents"

"We are not. We were paid to keep you hidden from someone. We are not your parents and you aren't our daughter"

"But Mom-", but she cuts me mid-sentence.

"No buts Sophie. This topic is not up for decision. You are going, that's it.", I am shocked when I see her blank face. Why? Doesn't she love me? Why is she saying I am not her daughter?

"Sophie?", she says in a stern voice.

"Call them over for lunch", is all I say before barging out of the room and slam the door.

She said she is not my Mom. She said they are not my parents. They were taking care of me because they were being paid. And not because they love. They abandoned me too. They don't want me.

I get changed and climb into bed, skipping dinner. I had lost the appetite. No one even comes to ask me for dinner. They had abandoned me. Sleep was a hard business that night