“Oh thank god.” She breathed and unlocked the door, pulling it open. 

Three tall, muscly men with ranging colourings entered in through the front door. One of the men had red hair, like Maggie’s, which made me wonder if they were related. “Lottie, these guys are Mike, John, and Henry.” Lex said pointing out each man as she said their names.

“It’s good to see you again, my dear niece.” The man called John said, smiling kindly at me.

“What? Niece?” I laughed sharply at how ridiculous that sounded. After perusing the mini family tree in the front of my journal, I found out that neither of my parents had any siblings.

“Yes, you are my niece, Charlotte.” John insisted.

“My parents don’t have any siblings.” I countered as Lex sat down on the arm rest of the sofa. Mike, Henry, and Jordan had all disappeared into another room.

With a deep sign looking resigned, John said, “You are right. Your adopted parents do not have any siblings, however-”

But I didn’t let him finish and shrieked, appalled “Adopted! I’m not adopted!”

“Lottie, calm down.” Lex insisted and I glared at her.

“No!” I said and turned my attention back to John, “What gives you the right to come here and lie about my family!”

“Charlotte, they are not your real parents. Your real parents are, unfortunately, dead. The couple who has been raising you did not have any hand in creating you.” John said, calmly and matter-of-factly.

“No. Stop lying to me, just stop.” I said, my chest feeling tight.

“Charlotte, I’m very sorry to just spring this on you, but it needs to be done. I’m honestly surprised you didn’t figure it out, you were such a bright child. Did it not ever concern you that there are no pictures of you before your twelfth birthday? Or that you look nothing like your ‘parents’?” John questioned and I could feel my thoughts about my family crumbling down.

I really don’t resemble my parents at all, while my parents have fairly light hair, I have dark brown. Really thinking about it makes me realize that even our facial features don’t resemble one another, and Kaden is a perfect mix of both of them.

A strangled noise comes out of my throat and I bolt towards the door. I fling it open and throw myself down the steps and away from that house and my uncle.