Chapter 3

My uncle said, "Not liking this feeling? If your mom was here, she would protect you."

"So, are you going to tell me where she is now?"

I couldn't breathe. "I don't have a mom anymore, she's not here!"

Tiffany slapped me. "Why are you still lying?"

I didn't care about the pain.

I felt a tightness in my chest, like someone was squeezing my heart and I couldn't get enough air.

Maybe I should jump out of the window and see Mom.

Then I wouldn't be a kid without a mom.

And no one could hurt me anymore!

I climbed onto the windowsill.

I wanted to leave!

My uncle sounded panicked. "What are you doing?"

I opened my arms.

My uncle looked terrified and ran toward me. "Abigail! No!"

I didn't hesitate.

My uncle grabbed me and pulled me back.

His heart was pounding against my ear, even faster than mine.

He held me tight, his voice shaking. "Are you crazy? You'd be paralyzed!"

"It's just a phone! Was it worth it?"

I screamed, "It wasn't just a phone! It was Mom! You can't understand."

I didn't have a mom anymore.

And I couldn't even watch her videos anymore.

Why?

I didn't do anything wrong!

I just wanted to see her photos and find a trace of her.

It was my fault. I shouldn't have talked to my uncle or taken him home.

Dad, please save me!

Please!

My uncle locked me in Mom's old room.

The windows were nailed shut, the door was locked, and I couldn't get out.

I didn't want to eat, so the nanny held the bowl and tried to make me feel better. "Your uncle owns a big company, the family's rich, and you'll have a good life."

"Your uncle finally found you. He'll be good to you."

I wasn't three. I was six.

I knew they didn't love my mom, so they wouldn't love me either.

My uncle walked in and saw that I wouldn't eat, and he said, "Don't eat, then go hungry."

He left with the nanny, and I was alone again.

I missed Mom.

I didn't believe that this big room didn't have anything of hers in it.

I looked everywhere, but I finally found an old diary in the corner.

I recognized Mom's handwriting.

I opened it.

I found out I was switched at birth, and I'm home now. It's so beautiful here, and I don't have to worry about being hit or yelled at anymore. I'm not going to marry that blind guy down the street! I have a new mom and dad, and I have a brother! I'm so happy!

Tiffany hates me, and tried to kill herself, and everyone's worried.

Today my brother said a word to me, and Tiffany ran away.

Tiffany accepts me now, and smiled at me. Awesome!

I didn't steal anything, and everyone called me trashy. Why don't they trust me?

It's Tiffany, she didn't accept me.

They're mad at me.

They forgot my birthday and took Tiffany to the amusement park.

They're my parents!

Mom was crying about how unfair they were.

Her tears blurred the words.

I read and fell asleep in the corner.

I finally saw Mom.