Chapter 5: The Truth

Closing the History book with a muted thump, I stood up from my study table and glanced at the clock.

6:15 pm, it read.

It was Sunday and I had been completely immersed in completing my revision the whole weekend.

Though, that didn’t mean Axel wasn’t a constant melody playing at the back of my head.

I stretched my body, trying to get the tenseness out of my muscles. The sudden growl of my stomach also alerted me that I was hungry.

So, with the assurance that since Kathy was out and my mother and father were in their room, I most probably won’t run into any of them, I dared to walk downstairs in the kitchen in search of food.

Looking through the fridge and cupboards, I settled on the jar of Nutella and 2 loaves of bread. I ate fairly quickly but before I could take the last bite and run upstairs, my mom walked into the kitchen.

Her face looked too somber and she looked at me with unreadable eyes. She didn’t say anything as I continue to eat, though she didn’t leave either. So, I hurried to finish my food.

Just as I took the last bite of the bread I heard my mother’s. “Adelaide come with me. I and your father want to talk to you.”

And then, without any further instructions, she started walking back to her and father’s bedroom. I stood up and followed behind her.

When I entered, father was sitting at the edge of the bed with his feet resting on the floor. Mother went and took a seat beside him.

“Sit down. This won't be easy on you” father muttered. A wave of uneasiness washed over me. The apprehensive carried increased tenfolds. But, I did as I was told and looked at him with curious, yet guarded eyes.

“Listen, Adelaide, I want you to have an open mind and listen to us, okay?” mother said in an overly calm one. I could only nod.

My father took a deep breath, and started, “Adelaide, we want you to move out as soon as you turn 18.”

The words were a harsh blow on my gut. “What do you mean? You said you’d let me stay here since you won’t help me pay for my college. You promised.”

The desperation did nothing to deter the blank mask on their face. “Adelaide, we thought that we could. But, a child is a huge responsibility. And we can’t really afford to take care of you anymore.”

I gasped, my eyes stinging with the tears I tried to keep at bay. I couldn’t believe how someone’s parents could disown them so suddenly, without a warning, without a reason.

“I am your daughter. Kathy is not the only one. You brought me into this world too. And you were supposed to love me. And you are kicking me out. Just like that. Without any explanation. What kind of parent does that?” I wanted to scream, but only a whisper left my lips.

The look in my mother’s eyes was so cold, it left me trembling.

“That’s the thing, Adelaide. You are not our daughter. You never were. So, we don’t have any responsibilities towards you. Instead of thinking badly of us, you should be grateful. We didn’t have to raise you. We didn’t have to do anything for you. But, we still did. And now that you are turning into an adult, we don’t think we need to take care of you anymore.”

It took me a couple of minutes to register her words. And even when I did, I still couldn’t process it.

So, I stared at her, completely stunned and speechless, not feeling anything. Not even sure if I grasped the meaning behind her words.

“What?” I breathed, my voice barely audible.

The man I called my father for almost eighteen years, sighed. “Clara and I found you on our doorstep when you were just an infant. You were lying inside a basket, sound asleep when we opened the door one night after hearing a knock. Inside the basket, there was also a piece of paper that had only your name and birth date written on it. There was nothing else.

“At the time, we also wanted a child but Clara couldn’t conceive. So, seeing you as our only chance at parenthood, we decided to adopt you. But, two years later Kathy was born, and taking care of you became a burden.

“Adelaide, we cared for you. We really did. That’s why we took care of you so long. But, we can’t anymore. Housing someone is expensive and we can’t waste any more money on a child that isn’t even ours. So, you have to move out as soon as you turn eighteen. I am sorry.”

I shook my head vigorously. “No, you’re not. You’re not sorry at all. And you never cared about me. If you did, you wouldn’t be doing this. You wouldn’t be saying this.”

Then, with shaking legs, I ran upstairs and threw myself on the bed. Tears trickled down my cheeks like a waterfall.

So, this is how it felt to lose everything you ever had in the blink of an eye. So, this is how it felt to learn everything you’ve ever known was a lie.

The fist around my heart tightened to the point I was gasping for air.

My whole life was a lie. Everything I knew, was a lie.

So, what does that mean?

Was I an orphan? Was I an unwanted child? Were my real parents still alive?

I wrapped my arms around myself, as I felt cold dread freeze my entire core.

I’d never felt so alone.

I really didn’t belong.

‘Where are you when I need you the most, Axel?’

………………………………………….

Sleep didn’t approach me the whole night. My throat hurt and my eyes were red and puffy. I knew my whole face was swollen.

I looked like I was hit by a truck. But, I didn’t care enough to fix myself.

Combing my hair with my finger a few times, I turned away from the mirror and picked my bag up.

My whole body protested against my decision of going to school today but I couldn’t afford to be absent when the exams are so close.

Also, I needed to see Axel. I needed to.

I walked out of the house and made my way to the school. There was no sighting of Axel again. A wave of frustration hit me hard and I slammed my hand against the wall. I didn’t care enough to think about the dent I left there.

I closed my eyes and pursed my lips, taking several deep breaths. I needed to hold my composure. I couldn’t afford to lose it.

Slowly, I opened my locker I pulled out the books I would need, and left the rest behind. Then, I made my way to my first class.

Halfway there, I heard Mrs.Dean’s voice calling me and I turned around.

A tall woman with kind eyes stood before me.

“Good morning, Adelaide. You don’t look so well. Is something wrong?” her gentle voice asked me. I attempted to smile at her but I knew it looked more like a grimace.

“Nothing, Mrs.Dean. I just feel a little sick. Is there something you need?” I asked her in return.

She smiled and replied, “Nothing much. Can you please take these files to my office? I would do it myself but the principal just called me to her office for an emergency.”

“Of course,” I exclaimed and she hands some files to me. I took them and walked in the direction of her class.

When I reached the class, I turn the doorknob. It wasn’t locked. But, I hesitated before pushing it open.

The sight the met my eyes, froze me to my core.

Janet leaned against a wall, her arms wrapped around a guy’s neck. Her lips were moving passionately against his.

But, that’s not what shocked me.

What shocked me was that the guy was Axel.