Chapter 2 - The Secret From the Day We Were Born
My hands began shaking.
I looked at Pastor Daniel.
“What does this mean?”
He didn't answer immediately.
Mia stepped toward me.
“Lila.”
I turned.
She was crying.
“What did Mom mean?”
“I don't know.”
Pastor Daniel sighed.
“Your mother wanted you to know the truth when you were both old enough to understand it.”
“What truth?”
He looked at Mia.
Then me.
“You were born premature.”
I nodded.
I knew that.
“What I didn't know,” he continued, “was how serious it was.”
Mia stared.
“You nearly died.”
She looked at me.
“We both did?”
Pastor Daniel nodded.
“But there was a complication.”
He took another document from the envelope.
“Your father was told that only one of you might survive.”
Mia's face went white.
“What?”
“Our parents had to make a decision.”
I felt dizzy.
“What decision?”
Pastor Daniel looked at me.
“Which baby would receive the only available emergency treatment?”
Mia took a step backward.
“No.”
He continued.
“Your father wanted to choose Lila.”
Mia looked at me.
“Why?”
“Because doctors believed she had the better chance.”
I stared at the photograph.
My entire childhood suddenly felt different.
Mom had never favored me.
She had carried guilt.
Because while doctors were trying to save me, she had refused to give up on Mia.
She had demanded they treat both of us.
She had fought.
She had begged.
She had refused to accept that one daughter had to die.
“And what happened?” Mia whispered.
“You both survived.”
Mia started crying.
“Then why did Mom never tell me?”
“Because your mother didn't want your childhood defined by a medical decision.”
I looked down.
“But she knew Mia would eventually find out.”
“Yes.”
“Why now?”
Pastor Daniel pointed toward my wedding.
“Because she knew Mia would come here.”
Mia looked stunned.
“She knew?”
I nodded.
“She knew you'd wear white.”
Mia's face collapsed.
“She knew I would do this?”
“She knew you might.”
Mia sat down.
“I hate her.”
The words came out like a child's cry.
Then she immediately covered her mouth.
“I don't.”
I walked toward her.
“Mia.”
She pulled away.
“No.”
“I don't blame you.”
“You should.”
“I don't.”
She looked at me.
“Why are you always like this?”
“Like what?”
“Good.”
I almost laughed.
“I'm not good.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No.”
I sat beside her.
“I was angry with you for years.”
“Then why did you keep forgiving me?”
“Because Mom taught me something.”
“What?”
“People don't always behave badly because they hate you.”
Mia cried harder.
“Sometimes they're hurting.”
She looked down at the white dress.
“I wanted to ruin your wedding.”
“I know.”
“I wanted everyone to think you were selfish.”
“I know.”
“I wanted Owen to look at me.”
I glanced at Owen.
He was standing several feet away.
“And?”
Mia shook her head.
“He never did.”
I smiled sadly.
“Because he loves me.”
“I know.”
Then she whispered,
“I don't know how to stop competing with you.”
I took her hand.
“Maybe you don't have to stop today.”
She looked at me.
“Then what?”
“Just stop running.”
She cried.
For the first time in twenty-nine years, my sister leaned against my shoulder.
And I held her.
But neither of us noticed Owen walking toward Pastor Daniel.
May you like
Because there was another secret.
And this one had nothing to do with Mia.
