THE LIFE SHE STOLE chapter 2
941 Words
Chapter Two: The Storm
2011
The rain began as a light drizzle.
The children of St. Mary's Orphanage stood by the windows, watching dark clouds slowly swallow the afternoon sky.
"It's going to rain really hard," Ethan murmured.
Cassandra hugged the storybook in her arms and stared outside.
"I hope everyone stays safe."
Adela walked over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"As long as I'm here," she said with a smile, "nothing will happen to you."
Cassandra smiled back.
She believed her.
She always would.
Moments later, a deafening clap of thunder shook the building.
BOOM!
Several children screamed.
The lights flickered before darkness filled the orphanage.
Rain poured from the sky in heavy sheets, beating mercilessly against the old roof.
Within minutes, muddy water rushed into the compound.
The orphanage trembled under the force of the storm.
Director Daniel Collins hurried into the hallway.
"Everyone stay calm!" he called. "The younger children, come with the staff. The older ones, help move everyone away from the windows!"
The children obeyed immediately.
Fear spread through every corner of the building.
Everyone was frightened.
Everyone...
Except Adela.
Her thoughts were somewhere else.
The DNA results.
Ever since she had seen the strange expression on Director Collins' face after the laboratory envelope arrived, curiosity had consumed her.
What was inside it?
Another loud crash echoed through the orphanage.
In the confusion, Director Collins rushed outside to rescue children trapped near the flooded entrance.
His office door remained unlocked.
Adela noticed.
Her heart began to pound.
She looked at Cassandra.
"I'm going to get some blankets."
Cassandra nodded.
"Be careful."
Adela smiled.
"I will."
She slipped quietly down the hallway.
The storm swallowed the sound of her footsteps.
She reached the office.
The door stood slightly open.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.
Papers were scattered across the desk.
Then she saw it.
A large brown envelope.
Her hands trembled as she picked it up.
She hesitated for only a moment before opening it.
The first report caught her eye immediately.
Child: Cassandra
Biological Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Williams
Her breathing stopped.
"No..."
She grabbed another report.
Child: Adela
Biological Father: Daniel Collins
The colour drained from her face.
"This... this can't be."
Tears filled her eyes.
"I'm Director Collins' daughter?"
She slowly sank into the chair.
"So...
...Cassandra was the girl they came for."
A strange feeling settled deep inside her heart.
Not sadness.
Not disappointment.
Something darker.
Jealousy.
Why Cassandra?
Why not her?
Before she could gather her thoughts, the office door burst open.
Director Daniel Collins stood there, drenched from the rain.
His eyes immediately fell on the papers in Adela's hands.
"You found them."
Adela looked up, tears streaming down her face.
"You knew."
"I only received the results today."
"You were going to tell me?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"As soon as I knew how."
She laughed bitterly.
"So Cassandra gets a rich family..."
"...and I get an orphanage?"
"No."
Director Collins stepped closer.
"You get a father who loves you."
"I don't want this life!"
Her words struck him like a knife.
"You may not understand today," he said gently, "but you are my daughter, and nothing will ever change that."
Before Adela could answer—
CRACK!
A deep c***k spread across the ceiling.
The building shook violently.
Director Collins looked up.
His eyes widened.
"Adela!"
The ceiling collapsed.
Heavy wooden beams and bricks came crashing down.
Without thinking, Director Collins threw himself forward.
He wrapped his arms around Adela, shielding her with his own body.
The room disappeared beneath dust and rubble.
---
Hours Later...
The storm had finally passed.
St. Mary's Orphanage lay in ruins.
Ambulances rushed the injured children and staff to St. Mary's General Hospital.
Director Daniel Collins was taken straight into emergency surgery.
Adela escaped with only a few cuts and bruises.
She sat quietly in the waiting room, wrapped in a blanket.
Her clothes were damp.
Her hands trembled as she absentmindedly held the torn remains of the brown envelope and the shredded papers.
Not far away, the wealthy couple rushed into the hospital after hearing about the orphanage collapse.
"Please," the woman asked anxiously, "how are the children?"
"They're receiving treatment," a nurse replied gently. "Director Collins is in surgery."
The couple thanked her and took seats nearby.
The waiting room fell silent.
Minutes dragged by.
Every time the operating theatre doors opened, everyone looked up with hope.
Finally, a doctor stepped into the corridor.
"Who is here for Director Daniel Collins?"
Adela immediately stood.
"So... how is he?"
The doctor removed his mask.
"The surgery was successful."
Relief washed over Adela's face.
"But..."
Her heart sank.
"He suffered a severe head injury."
The doctor lowered his eyes.
"I'm afraid he has slipped into a coma."
The waiting room fell silent.
"No one can tell how long he'll remain unconscious."
The only person who knew the complete truth...
...could no longer speak.
Adela slowly sat back down.
As she did, one tiny piece of the shredded paper slipped from her hand and floated to the floor.
She didn't notice.
The wealthy woman did.
She bent down and picked it up.
The paper was torn beyond recognition.
There were no names.
No heading.
Only two things remained visible.
99.999% MATCH
And part of an official government stamp.
The woman frowned.
She looked at Adela.
"Excuse me..."
Adela looked up.
"Is this... your DNA result?"
Time seemed to stop.
Adela stared at the torn piece of paper.
Then, forcing herself to remain calm, she nodded.
"...Yes."
The wealthy couple looked at each other.
Neither of them said a word.
End of Chapter Two
- Writer
