12/10/2025
I’m a 25‑year‑old woman who grew up knowing she was adopted—my adoptive mother, Margaret, never let that go unnoticed. She would constantly remind me, “You were adopted. You should be grateful I saved you.” My adoptive father was kind, but he died when I was ten, and life never got easy. Whenever I cried, Margaret would say, “You should be grateful for your rescue.” Because she never hesitated to mention my adoption, everyone—neighbors, classmates, friends—knew my story. At school the kids dubbed me “the orphan girl.” For a quarter of a century I quietly accepted her narrative, believing she had “saved” me.
After yet another argument with her, my best friend asked, “Sophie… have you ever wondered who your real parents are?” At first the words seemed trivial, but curiosity took over. One morning we went to the orphanage Margaret claimed had adopted me. The administrator, after searching her computer, frowned and said, “Sorry, but there are no records of you. ARE YOU SURE YOU WERE ADOPTED?” My stomach sank. It made no sense, yet I needed answers. I went straight to Margaret’s house. When she opened the door, I blurted out, “I was at the orphanage. There are no records of me. WHY DID YOU LIE? WHO AM I?” Tears streamed down her face. For the first time she looked truly scared. “I knew I would have to tell you the truth someday. Sit down.”