My Life is a Lie - A Rydel Lynch Story

The Truth

Chapter Two

Stormie's POV

The day had come so fast. When they decided on when to tell her, her 20th birthday was a unanimous decision

Now that day was finally here, and Stormie avoided the subject.

The past 20 years were the best she ever had. Stormie's family seemed so perfect; all five of her children loved each other and got along. They were every parents dream.

She had Riker, her oldest. He was the most responsible; a trait that came with the job of being the oldest sibling.

Then came Rydel, her sweet baby girl. Her only girl. She was her best friend. They did everything together, and they talked about girl things.

Then Rocky was born. He was a ladies man right from birth. He always loved attention. But he was the sweetest boy she had ever met.

Then there was Ross and Ryland. They were so alike it wasn't even funny. They both loved to laugh, and they excelled at all sports. But Ross was a Momma's boy, where Ryland stuck to his father.

Her family was complete, as it had been for 16 years. But today would change all of that. Today the truth came out.

Her and Mark gathered the kids in the living room after breakfast was done. It was time.

"Is everything okay mom?" Rydel asked.

It stung to know that she wouldn't be needing to call her that anymore.

"We have something to tell you, Rydel, and it affects all of us" she sat down on the ottoman in front of her.

Rydel looked scared. She wanted so bad to keep it a secret again, but Rydel and Ellington were getting close, and that couldn't happen. They needed to know the truth.

"A long, long time ago, your father and I were trying for a second baby. We had Riker, and everything was great. Then we decided that we wanted a little sister for him to play with. So we started trying again. But it wasn't so easy"

Stormie's stomach felt sick. She didn't want to say anymore.

She wanted to ignore the fact that Rydel's whole life was a lie, and continue going on like nothing was wrong.

She wanted to ignore the truth, but she knew she had to do the right thing.

"We knew this family. They lived across the street from us in Colorado, the Kirks. They were a nice family. Mom and a dad, twin babies. Perfect life. Except one day everything fell apart."

"They were in a car accident" her husband continued behind her.

"Both the parents were killed, the kids were left crying in the back seat. They were only weeks old. The doctors gave it a week, and once no one claimed them, they were out in foster care."

She held back tears, then continued.

"We thought long and hard about it, and we decided that we would adopt them, both the babies. When we went for it the boy had already been adopted. We fought really hard, but we lost him. We couldn't adopt him too..."

"Wait. Too?" Rydel interrupted. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as the news sunk in.

The look on Rydel's face stung. She had finally put the pieces of the puzzle together. "I'm the little girl from the story?" She asked, tears forming in her eyes.

"Yes" Stormie cried. "You don't know how hard it's been keeping this a secret! I've wanted to tell you!"

"Where's the brother" Rydel looked her right in the eye, tears aggressively falling to the floor. "What happened to my brother"

Stormie gulped. She took out a Kleenex and wiped her eyes.

"The family who adopted your brother moved to California when the adoption was finalized."

"So you mean he's here?" She asked, standing up, resentment in her tone.

"Yes, he's here" Mark answered.

"I have to find him" Rydel got up to leave.

"You don't have to." Mark called after her. She turned around. "We already found him for you."

Stormie stood to look her daughter in the eye. With as much strength as she could, she told her.

"It's Ellington. Ellington Ratliff is your brother"