Disclosed Identity

Chapter 5: The Unfolded Truth

The Phone Call

"Hello, Sir?" Matthew answered the call.

"Sir, it's confirmed with Ms. Karen Cruz regarding your sister, and she is willing to cooperate with you," the investigator reported over the line.

"Okay, Sir. That's great news. Send me their address, and tomorrow first thing, I'll go there to see my sister," Matthew said firmly.

"Thank you so much, Sir."

"It's my honor, Sir."

Imee's POV

"Mom, our investigator already found her! Tomorrow I'm going there to see her in person. Mom, we're finally going to see her," Matthew shouted excitedly.

My phone rang as a message notification popped up on the screen. It was a text message from Mat containing the Pasay address and the latest details. Tears spontaneously filled my eyes and streamed down my cheeks.

Finally, I’m going to see her. After twenty long years, I will finally gaze upon her beauty. At long last, I have found my princess.

"Sir, let's just wait for her here," the investigator suggested, gesturing toward the porch.

"Alright, Sir," Matthew replied, adjusting his collar.

He couldn't sit still. His heart pounded with eagerness—he couldn't wait to see his sister with his own eyes and welcome her home.

"Good morning, Ms. Karen. I'm here with Sir Mat, the son of Ma'am Imee and the older brother of Elle," the investigator introduced as Karen opened the door.

"Good morning. I'm so sorry, but Elle isn't home right now. She's currently at school," Karen said politely, wiping her hands on her clothes.

"That's completely fine, Ma'am. I mainly came here to personally thank you for taking care of my sister all these years, even though you weren't related to her," Matthew said, offering a respectful handshake.

"You're very welcome, Sir. Elle wasn't difficult to raise at all. She's extremely hardworking and smart," Karen smiled warmly.

"She probably inherited that from our mom," Matthew chuckled gently.

"Most likely, Sir... If it's alright, maybe I should be the one to break the news to her first that her biological parents are looking for her, just so she won't be caught off guard?" Karen offered.

"Thank you so much, Ma'am. I appreciate that," Matthew agreed.

Karen's POV

"Good evening, Sister! You came home pretty early today," Elle greeted as she walked through the door, setting her school bag on the chair.

"Yeah, this was my shift today. That's why you, (little sister), need to study hard, okay?" Karen said softly.

"Of course!" Elle smiled.

Karen took a deep breath, looking at Elle with mixed emotions. "Elle, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" Elle asked, sensing the seriousness in Karen's voice.

"If your real parents were to come back for you... would you go with them?" Karen asked, her voice wavering slightly.

“of course I would. They are my biological parents, and it's only right for them to take me in because I'm their child. I know it might hurt you, but we can't change the truth, Karen. There's really nothing we can do about it," Elle explained gently.

"Ouch, that hurts, Elle. You erased me just like that?" Karen teased through her emotional tone, trying to lighten the mood.

"karen just because I want to go with them doesn't mean I'll forget about you! I love you so much," Elle insisted, wrapping her arms around Karen.

"I love you too, Elle... But I think it's time for you to know the truth," Karen said, pulling back to look into Elle's eyes.

"What truth, sister? What's going on?" Elle asked, her brows knitting together.

"You know Imee Marcos, right?" Karen asked quietly.

"Yeah! The one running for senator, the one who has a missing daughter, and the father is the Presi—Wait, Ate... Don't tell me—" Elle gasped, her eyes widening in realization.

"What you're thinking is right, Elle. You're not mistaken," Karen affirmed with a soft nod.

"They are my parents? My mother is Ms. Imee Marcos? No wonder I felt so naturally drawn to her when we met... She's my mother!" Elle whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.

Karen wiped a tear from her own cheek and smiled warmly. "Now, you're complete, Elle. You finally know the truth. I just hope you won't change. Don't ever forget me, my sister... Until we meet again."