When he opened the door, he recognized me instantly. “You’re Leah,” he said, hugging me. He hadn’t abandoned me—my mom had lied. Darren welcomed me into his family and gave me the gift I never expected: a house in my name. He said, “I can’t give back the years, but I can give you a future.”

Then my mom and Maya moved in without permission, claiming they were evicted. I told them to leave—or I’d call the police. They ran. Now, I’ve locked the door for good. I wasn’t the mistake. I was the truth they tried to hide—but I rose anyway.