I spotted one so big that he reminded me of Arnold Schwarzenegger from The Terminator.

Being pregnant with Vlad’s child meant I had a bullseye plastered on my back, making me a target for his enemies.

I stepped away from the window, thinking how messed up it was that the people I’d thought were my parents for twenty-one years weren’t actually my parents. To make matters worse, the man who I was attracted to, the father of my unborn child, was, in fact, my biological father’s killer.

Yep. That’s so fucked up.

I had been lied to my whole life, and that sucked. I hated everything happening, but was there anything I could do about it? No.

There was a knock on my door, and my heart skipped a beat from the trauma of what had happened the last time—how Andy had abducted me. But that wasn’t the case. He had been apprehended and I was safe…I hoped. At least there were commandos all around, so that helped.

“Honey, it’s Mom,” she said from outside the door.

I frowned at her voice, unwilling to talk to her or any of them, for that matter.

“Can I come in?” she asked, her tone laced with skepticism.

She wants to talk, said my voice of reason.

I know, but I don’t wanna talk to her.

You’re hurting and disappointed, but just hear her out. I believe there’s a reason why they did what they did.

I knew she had a reason, but I wasn’t ready to listen yet because then I’d understand, and I didn’t want to understand.

It’s Mom, Sia. Listen to her.

I drew in a deep breath and said, “Come on in. It’s open.”

The door squeaked open, and she walked in. “Hi, honey.”

I didn’t respond, just turned away with my arms folded across my chest.

“You’re angry, I get it—really, I understand. But just gimme a chance to explain,” she said softly, her voice filled with remorse.

“Explain what, Mom?” I turned to face her.

She had tears in her eyes, and that just broke my heart.

“You lied to me…for twenty-one years,” I blurted out.

“I know.”

“Were you ever gonna tell me the truth if this hadn’t happened?” I asked, looking right at her.

She sighed but didn’t respond.

“I didn’t think so,” I grumbled.

“Sienna, honey….” She stepped forward and held my hands, her eyes locked on mine. “This doesn’t change anything; you’re still my daughter, and I am still your mother.”

“That’s not the point, Mom,” I said, breaking out of her hold. “You withheld the truth from me all my life.” I stepped back, being all stubborn and emotional.

“What was I supposed to do, honey, tell you that you’re not my biological daughter and that your dad found you as an infant and decided to take you in?” she asked, trailing behind me.

I stopped and faced her again. “Maybe not like that, but yes.”

“Really?” She cocked her head at me. “You mean like you told me about your pregnancy?”