Only Broken

The Choice That Changed Everything

The cars pull up in front of the mansion, and the workers begin packing up everything that belongs to me.

Aunt Matilda doesn’t believe in small-town living. And since I’m under her care now, that means I have to move to Miami with her too.

I hate the idea of going back to the city, but the truth is... I’m not legally old enough to take care of myself.

“Nice outfit, sis.” Yenner—Aunt Matilda’s youngest daughter and three years older than me—sidles up beside me, eyeing my simple straight-cut dress with an approving smile.

Oh no. It’s already starting. The fake compliments, the sucking up, the phony warmth. I thought she was just being polite this morning, but now... I’m not even wearing anything designer.

“Sis?” I mutter the word back with a cringe.

“Yeah, we’re sisters now, aren’t we?” She grins, giving me a side hug. I resist the urge to squirm out of her arms.

Can I really do this? Live with these people—for five whole years?

“Come on girls, let’s go!” Aunt Matilda calls out, heading toward the sleek black car we’ll all be taking to the airport.

Jennifer smiles at me—sweet?

No, definitely fake and cold—as she walks beside her mother. A chill runs down my spine.

They all get into the car but the door stays open, waiting for me. Yet I just stand there, staring at it.

***

Press play.

“Hey, Claire,” Mom’s face appears on the screen, and my eyes instantly fill with tears.

My chest tightens just staring at her.

Gosh her face– her voice....I miss her so much.

“If you’re watching this video, then it means...” She pauses, looking straight at the camera. A tear escapes her eye, and she quickly wipes it away.

“But you’re going to be fine. You’ll be okay,” she says, though I can tell she’s trying harder to convince herself than me.

“Right now you’re missing. We’ve been looking for you for hours and...” Another tear slides down her cheek. “I know we’ll find you.”

My heart breaks as I watch her cry.

“But I wanted to make this video... just in case. Because I probably won’t have the guts to tell you this in person. Or maybe I’ll never get the chance.”

I wipe my own cheeks now soaked with tears.

“You remember why we moved out of the city, right? The Kleins... and everything?”

I nod, even though she can’t see me.

“Well, sweetheart, we didn’t just move here because we thought it was safer. We moved here because...” She hesitates. “Because we found your biological father.”

My eyes widen, and I quickly grab the DNA test results from earlier, confirming her words.

“We think you’ll be safest with him if anything ever happens to us,” she continues, and the tears start falling harder.

“This is probably a lot to take in, I know. But we’ve always wanted what’s best for you. And we knew you wouldn’t find that by staying with the family if we were gone.”

I listen closely, my chest tightening.

“We left everything in your name. I’m sure the lawyer’s told you that by now. But you won’t have full access to the company until you’re eighteen. Even then, there’ll be some restrictions. Still... the most important thing is this: you can choose.”

I frown, confused.

“You see the adoption papers in the brown envelope? It means you can choose who you want to live with. Where you want to go. Who you want as your guardian. Everything from school to home—it’s up to you now.”

I sob as her tears continue falling too.

“Edward will manage the inheritance until you’re of age,” she adds. “But again, you decide where you go.”

She pauses, chuckling softly as she wipes her face with a handkerchief.

“If you choose your biological father... you might finally understand why you’re so different.”

My eyes shoot open.

She knew? They knew?

“His details are in the envelope. And I hope... I hope you make the right decision, Claire.” She smiles faintly, eyes red but warm.

The video begins to fade, but then she adds one last thing.

“Oh, and one last thing,” she says, smiling again into the camera. “We love you, sweetheart. We really do. And we’re sorry you have to grow up without us.”

I cover my mouth to silence the sobs breaking free.

“I’m done. You want to add something?” she asks someone behind the camera before stepping away.

Dad takes her place on the couch, removing his glasses. He stares into the camera, eyes full of something strong yet broken.

“Everything your mom said, sweetheart,” he begins. “We’re sorry we won’t be around... but...” He pauses, then looks back up, offering a soft, loving smile.

“Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Promise me you’ll live... for us. You’re our legacy now.”

The screen fades to black.

I break down, sobbing uncontrollably. My heart aches for their presence, for what should have been.

The weight of their words press down on me until I hear a voice yell my name from inside the car.

My fingers slip into my bag, pulling out the paper that holds my biological father's details. I stare at it, hands trembling.

“Claire, what are you doing?! The private jet is waiting!” Aunt Matilda yells again, growing impatient.

I tuck the paper away and turn toward her, a slow smile curling on my lips.

“I’m not going to Miami.”

Her jaw drops as I pivot and walk toward a different car. I hand the driver the sheet of paper with the address.

“Take me here,” I say.

And just like that, I make the choice that changes everything.