Standing outside the orphanage again, Claudia's heart beat faster than normal. What will happen in there? What should I expect?
As she walked closer to the entrance, her legs almost gave way, but Richard held her steady.
"It's okay. Everything will be fine," he said as he squeezed her hand gently.
Claudia nodded and took a deep breath.
I had already made plans for Claudia to meet her sister. Yesterday, after the discovery, Richard went to the Harrison Group to investigate and found the girl. She was six years older than Claudia, and they looked so alike.
He told her everything. She couldn't contain her happiness, and they decided to introduce them at the orphanage.
"Oh, Mr. Richard and Miss Claudia, you're here. Please, have a seat," the director said as we sat down.
"Miss Claudia, there is someone I'd like you to meet," the director continued as a lady walked in. "Her name is Melinda Harrison."
The moment the words left the director's mouth, I froze.
"Her name is Melinda Harrison," the director introduced.
She looked just like me.
I was still in shock when she walked over and, without a word, pulled me into a tight hug, sobbing.
"I'm sorry, Claudia. It was all my fault you got lost. If I hadn't forced Mum to take us on that ride, you wouldn't have gotten lost. We would've been a complete family now," she sobbed on my shoulder.
I stood frozen, unable to wrap my head around what was happening.
She pulled back and looked at me. Her eyes brought me back to reality.
"Are you my sister?" I asked, barely audible.
"Yes, Claudia. I'm your older sister," she replied.
I immediately fell to my knees.
"I have a sister… I have a family, Richard!" I said as Richard helped me up.
"Yes, Claudia. She is your sister, and your dad is waiting for you at home," he said.
"Wait — you knew?" I asked.
"Yes. I found out yesterday and arranged this meeting with her," he said, smiling.
I looked at Melinda and walked slowly toward her. I gently took her hands in mine.
"You are my sister?" I asked again.
"Yes, baby. I'm your big sister." She paused. "It's all my fault. I…"
I didn't let her finish. I pulled her into a tight hug, sobbing.
"It's okay. I don't blame you. I'm happy I finally found you," I said, crying.
After a few minutes, I let go and hugged Richard.
"Thank you, Richard."
"Claudia, it's what I should do as your husband. I love you very much, and I will do anything to make you happy," he said.
"Let's go meet your dad," he added, holding my hand. I turned and took Melinda's hand as we walked toward the car.
My happiness knew no bounds.
A few minutes into the ride, we stopped in front of a huge villa.
"Wow, this is big. It's actually double the size of the Coopers' villa."
We walked into the villa. Bodyguards stood in a straight line outside and bowed to Melinda as we passed.
"Are you that rich?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Melinda laughed and turned to hold my hands.
"Claudia, I'm not just rich,we are rich. You are my sister. All of this belongs to us," she said.
I nodded, tears threatening to fall, but I held them back.
We stepped inside the villa. This wasn't a castle, but it was my biological parents' house. I was still in awe and didn't realize I had bumped into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see where I was going," I said, bowing my head.
"Dad," Melinda called out.
Wait - Dad? I muttered as I raised my head. It was a middle-aged man, and the way Melinda held him told me he was my father.
I was still lost in thought when he took my hand.
"You are Claudia?" he asked, a little skeptical.
"Ye… yes," I stammered.
"You are my daughter," he said, his voice thick with emotion, as he pulled me into a tight hug.
Melinda couldn't hold back her tears as Dad hugged her sister. At least now she could be at peace, and Dad would be happy again.
"You look so beautiful, just like your mom," he said, caressing Claudia's face. Melinda smiled.
"Yes, Dad. She looks just like Mom," she added.
Dad pulled her into another tight hug, sobbing quietly. When he pulled away, Melinda took Claudia's hands.
"Where is Mom?" Claudia asked.
Everyone became quiet.
"Why is everyone quiet?" I asked, confused. "What's with the long faces?"
Melinda held my hands, tears flowing from her eyes.
"Claudia…" she began, then paused to take a breath. "Mom is gone."
The moment the words left her mouth, I froze. A familiar pain rushed through my heart — the same pain I felt when I lost my adopted dad.
Tears threatened to fall, but I held them back.
"I'm sorry, Claudia. It's all my fault. If I hadn't forced Mom to take us on that ride, Mom wouldn't have died, and you wouldn't have gotten lost. I'm so sorry," Melinda cried as she fell to her knees.
I quickly helped her up and hugged her tightly. Then I pulled back, held her hands, and wiped her tears.
"I'm not mad at you. It's not your fault. Everything happened the way it was meant to. I'm happy we're united now. You and Dad are my family. I'm sure Mom is happy wherever she is."
I hugged her again, and Dad joined us.
Two months later at the Coopers' house, Claudia asked, "How do I look in this dress, Richard?"
Richard looked up from his phone and couldn't believe his eyes.
"Wow, you look so beautiful," he said, unable to hide his admiration.
"Thank you, Richard," she replied shyly.
"Where are you going?" he asked, confused.
"Oh, sorry. I forgot to tell you — it slipped my mind. My dad called and asked me to come over."
"Oh, okay. Let me take you then," he said. He walked over to her and gently caressed her little baby bump.
He turned her face toward him and planted kisses on her forehead, nose, eyes, and finally her lips. Just then, the door opened, and she pulled back quickly.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't know," Mrs. Cooper said.
"Mom!" Richard shouted.