TIFFIN 2

1

Hey everyone! Hope you're having a wonderful morning! Just in case you're confused with how chapter 100 in TIFFIN ended and this chapter started, yes, Kristina did call the woman her 'mom' but realize she's in shock at the fact that she's talking to her for the first time ❤❤

Honestly, I would have been freaked too 😫
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The woman that seemed to be my twin, stood across from me, lost for words.

She fumbled, trying to form a sentence.

"I apologize, I-" She paused. "I know the circumstances we've met under weren't preferable..."

I backed away, a bit freaked out. "We've never met."

The woman held out a hand. "Oh, yes we have. You saw me at that ball. We crossed paths. I remember clearly; you were wearing that silver dress."

"Oh, wait." I said, "You were that woman in the hoodie!"

She nodded. "Yes. Exactly."

I looked back at the frat, knowing that any minute people were going to be pouring out.

"Wait- I'm confused." I said in a rush, "What are you even doing here?"

The woman scrunched her brows together. "I took the liberty of tracking you down. I know that makes me sound crazy, but I had to. I couldn't take the risk of leaving you alone. It's still not safe."

I swallowed, feeling overwhelmed by what I was hearing.

Certainly, her tracking me down wasn't necessarily weird. I'd witnessed many odd things in the last few months.

"You said you were my mother," I replied, "You have to understand why I can't believe that. I've known a woman who'd grown with me for so long. Though, now that I stare at you..."

The resemblance was uncanny.

"I know," The woman frowned, "I wasn't sure how I was going to break this to you- surprising you definitely wasn't it. You may still think I'm insane, but I have proof."

"What proof?" I asked, genuinely interested.

The woman's eyes began to water.

"Pictures. Birth certificate. Hospital band."

I shook my head, not really comprehending this all.

"Why do you keep saying I'm not safe? What's going on?"

"Kristina," The woman murmured, "you were taken from us. You've been missing for eighteen years."

I stumbled on my feet, the world seeming to teeter on its edge. This wasn't ever something I thought would be a possibility.

Kidnapped. That was my reality.

Or was it?

Though Charlie had been acting strange of late, my mother- or Elouise- had been honest with me about him not being my real father.

Was this something either of them were capable of?

No. It couldn't be. They were two normal lovers from New Jersey that built a name for themselves. They were a bit unreasonable when it came to raising me, but they never gave me the feeling that they were capable of being entirely dangerous to my well-being.

This woman did look like me from her head to her feet. Her beautiful auburn hair and her thick frame contended with mine. Though this all seemed so credible, it still wouldn't convince me. I'd never met this woman.

I didn't trust her.

"I want to see the proof," I demanded, still keeping my distance.

"Of course." The woman agreed without much trouble.

Before we could continue talking, Hero bounded out the front door of the frat, with partiers gathering at the threshold of the house, curious if we were going to fight again.

As he reached us, his eyes searched both our faces. He seemed traumatized, the veins in his forehead nearly popping out.

He approached the woman, reaching out a hand.

"Kristina...?"

She responded by laughing.

"No, I'm Emma. But I'm flattered you think I'm young enough. Who might you be?"

In unison, both Hero and I answered:

"Boyfriend."

"Ex."

After an awkward pause, I sent a glare Hero's way.

"Ex," I finished, "He's my ex."

"Oh, I see," Emma replied. "It's a shame. I would have thought you were the perfect couple."

I shook my head already having enough of this conversation.

"Look, I have to go," I said now talking to Emma, "Here's the thing; I don't know who you are. I don't understand your logic. If I've been missing how come you've never notified the authorities?"

Emma scoffed. "You think I didn't try? For years, I did my best to convince them that you were taken. Do you even understand how powerful Elouise and Charlie are? The cops laughed in my face and I was even admitted for a 5150. There's no winning this."

I rolled my eyes, despite the serious situation. "Yes, I do know how powerful they are, if that's what you want to call it. They're two wackjobs from New Jersey that happen to be extremely rich. They spent their life making sure I was the perfect child. I'm pretty sure their life's ambition wasn't to commit a crime."

"You don't believe me?" Emma breathed.

I sighed, trying to think of a nice way to put this.

"Of course I don't. My parents are filthy rich. Paparazzi are constantly trying to get a story on us- crap- I might have just screwed my privacy now, but... My point is that if you're looking for a million-dollar cut, you're going to have to visit their company."

"No," Emma denied, "You don't understand-"

"My life was completely fine," I said, "Before you came along, I liked things the way they were. My parents were the same strict assholes I've grown with and I was ready to bury the hatchet with them. I don't care what you want. I'd appreciate if you left."

I paused, then went on.

"If you really are my mother... Clearly, you're upset you gave me up and you're trying to concoct this story. I'm sorry. I really can't deal with this. I'm not looking to re-kindle our relationship."

I gave Hero one last grimace.

"I want you to leave me alone. You're disgusting. I never want to hear from you again."

And with that, I stormed back inside the frat to find Luke.

Thank you all for over 20 reads already 🤗🤗

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