DEADLY DECEPTION

CHAPTER 18

Warning: This chapter is so long, you might need snacks! 😜

Avery's POV

I sprinted towards a couple in their early 50s, coming to an abrupt halt in front of them. "Mom, Dad!" I called out, desperation lacing my voice.

The couple regarded me with confusion, the man offering a gentle inquiry, "Who are you, dear?"

"It's me, Avery. Your daughter," I pleaded, my eyes reflecting a mix of hope and uncertainty.

A shared chuckle passed between them, exchanging puzzled glances.

"Oh dear, you must have mistaken us for someone else. We only have two sons," the woman explained with a gentle and apologetic tone.

Desperation seeped into my words as I pressed on, "You are James and Laura Caine, right?" The couple shook their heads, denying any connection.

"No, we are Jonathan and Emma," the man clarified.

"No, no... You might have forgotten me after the accident during a sailing trip," I insisted, my voice trembling with emotion.

Worried glances were exchanged between the couple, and the man spoke gently, "We're sorry if there's been a misunderstanding, dear. We've never been in any kind of accident."

The woman nodded in agreement, her expression filled with concern.

As they left, they offered a comforting hug, still unsure of who I was. Rick, who had followed behind me, stood there, silently witnessing the heart-wrenching scene unfold. I turned back, tears streaming down my face, and looked at Rick. He shook his head slightly, confirming that the couple wasn't my parents.

Overwhelmed with emotion, I felt the tears brimming in my eyes, threatening to spill over. I didn't want to break down, not now, not in front of Rick. I took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself, but the weight of everything was too much to bear. With trembling hands, I wiped away the tears clinging to my cheeks and looked at Rick, determined to dismiss the unsettling revelation.

"There's no way Maria would lie to me about my parents," I declared, my voice carrying a tone of denial.

I wanted to believe in the stability of my reality, the foundation that had been shaken by the encounter with the couple. Rick sighed, a sound heavy with a truth he seemed reluctant to share. Disagreement lingered in the air as if Rick had access to information I wasn't yet ready to accept. Shock painted my face as I questioned him, a smile playing on my lips but a flicker of disbelief in my eyes.

"It's not true right? How could Maria lie about something like that?" I asked, the laughter in my voice masking the underlying pain. Rick, ever composed, met my gaze with a heavy sigh.

"Remember when I told you I knew an information about you back at the orphanage?" Rick reminded me, his expression revealing a depth of knowledge beyond my comprehension.

I nodded, curious about where he was leading the conversation.

"Well, Avery, I found out that Maria lied to you about your parents," Rick disclosed, his words hitting me like an unexpected blow.

He continued, his tone laced with a sense of regret, "I wanted to tell you about this, but I didn't expect you to find out this way. I thought it would be better if I informed you in a more controlled environment, but circumstances unfolded differently."

I burst into laughter, the sound resonating through the bustling street. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on me, but the ache in my chest couldn't be masked by mere amusement. Denial held me captive for a fleeting moment until reality crashed over me like a relentless wave.