The night before her party, I overheard Daniel on the phone with Lauren, furious, saying he “couldn’t look at that kid.” The next morning, he pretended nothing happened and skipped the party. At the birthday, I told Lauren what I heard. She went pale and confessed the truth: Ava wasn’t adopted the way everyone believed. She was the daughter of Lauren’s best friend, Megan — after a one-night affair between Megan and Daniel during a family trip I hadn’t attended.

Megan became pregnant, and Lauren offered to adopt the baby to protect everyone, including me. Daniel and Lauren hid it for four years, even confirming his paternity with a DNA test. She handed me the envelope with the results. I confronted Daniel and walked out.

For days I stayed with a friend while Daniel begged for forgiveness. Then Lauren sent me a message I couldn’t ignore: “Ava needs you.” I met Ava. She ran into my arms like nothing had changed. I told Daniel I wasn’t there for him — only for her. We started therapy. Slowly, painfully, he learned to be present for Ava. I’m still healing, but we’re rebuilding — one honest day at a time.