"I never came back. For ten years, the person living beside you as Emma Sullivan has been a fake."
"She could be dangerous. She could be trying to hurt you. You have to be careful!"
I couldn't hold back any longer.
I made sure Emma was somewhere safe, then went straight home.
She was in the living room with her six-month belly, doing prenatal yoga.
I cut straight to it.
"Tell me who you are."
"Who sent you to take my daughter's place? What is your real name?"
She froze mid-pose and looked at me like I'd lost my mind.
"Mom, have you completely lost it?"
"Or have you been watching too many soap operas? Where is this nonsense coming from?"
"Didn't I just explain the whole scam ring to you the other day? Have you seen them again? Did they get to you?"
Emma sighed—the kind of sigh that sounds like patience worn thin—and called Eustace.
"Dad, come home. Now."
"Actually, bring something for Mom's head while you're at it. She's decided I'm fake again."
Eustace came rushing back and fixed me with a cold stare.
"Deidre, what the hell is wrong with you now?"
"Emma finally gets maternity leave, comes here for a few quiet days, and you can't stop making her life miserable?"