"Sarah, of course not! How could you say that?” Simon’s face turned anxious, as if afraid of being misunderstood. He hurriedly explained, “We’ll keep taking care of Ella. We have a big family, besides. It’s not like we can’t spare a seat at the table, right? We’re not about to let her starve.”
Guilt flickered across his face. I shot him a glare, my voice sharpening as I said to him “At least you have some decency. However, Ella isn’t just another mouth to feed. We’ll continue to provide for her as usual. I don't think she needs to know the truth. Just tell her ... that Cassie is her long-lost twin sister. We recently found and brought home.”
“What? No way!” Simon’s displeasure was immediate when he heard that. His voice rose and a strange look crossed his face. “Cassie and Ella look nothing alike! Besides, why should we waste more money on someone who isn’t even our real daughter?”
“I won’t allow it!” I snapped back. My voice was rising, as anger surged at his heartlessness. “Ella may not share our blood, but she’s still the child I’ve loved and cared for all these years. How could I suddenly stop loving her? Eighteen years, she is my daughter that I loved and cherish, how could that mean nothing?”
“Dad, Mom? What are you two talking about?”
My angry outburst was cut short by a soft, familiar voice. I did not know when she came because Ella had appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, dressed in cozy loungewear and holding a glass of hot water. It seemed she had been home all this time.
At this time, I saw disbelief written all over Ella’s face.
"Ella, we …."
Before I could explain, my husband, Simon, let out a sharp, angry snort. “Ella, you heard it, didn’t you? You’re not our biological daughter!”
He stormed over to the couch and dropped onto it with a thud, his expression full of irritation.
“Simon, what’s wrong with you? Stop saying such nonsense!” I snapped, a chill running through me when I saw his harsh expression. Then I turned to my daughter.
At that moment, Ella's face had turned ghostly pale, her whole body trembling, eyes glistening with unshed tears. She looked like she was on the verge of breaking down.
"Ella! Ella! It’s not what you think!” I rushed to her side, desperate to comfort her. “Cassie … Cassie is your twin sister. She isn't ….”