Chapter 2

Ever since Leticia sent that last package, I hadn't heard a single word from her.

I waited day after day, hoping for some kind of message—but nothing ever came.

Had she really cut me off completely?

I missed her so much. I had no idea whether the Morrow family treated her well, or if she was happy in that new life.

Time passed quickly at the orphanage. No one ever came to adopt me—not that I was surprised. No one wants a ten-year-old girl.

So I stayed there until I turned eighteen.

When it was time for college, I applied to every university in Criamore. I was determined to find her.

She was the only family I had left.

I'd already searched online for any information about the Morrow family, hoping I might stumble across something about her—but everything personal was locked down tight.

Which made sense. Families like that didn't just put their private lives out in the open.

I imagined Leticia must be so beautiful now—probably already finished with college. I wondered if she'd even recognize me.

When the results came out, I'd gotten into the best university in Criamore.

I ran my fingers over the acceptance letter again and again, my eyes slowly filling with tears. She's going to be so proud of me, I thought.

I set off for Criamore full of hope. It was the first time I'd ever left the little mountain town where I'd spent my whole life—my first time heading to the so-called "big city."

I couldn't hide how excited and nervous I was.

But the moment I actually stepped onto Criamore's soil, that excitement turned into a wave of doubt.

What if she didn't want to see me? What if I was just barging into a life where I no longer belonged?

After all, she had a new family now.

Still, Criamore was breathtaking. The endless skyline, the bright lights, the constant motion—it was everything she'd described, and more.

She hadn't lied. The world beyond the mountains really was more amazing than the books ever said.

The first few weeks of college were hectic—orientation, paperwork, settling in. I didn't have time to look for her right away.

If I was being honest, I was also stalling. Part of me was scared.

Eventually, I decided to take a quieter approach—start asking around, gather some information, and wait for the right moment to reconnect.

The Morrow family was the wealthiest in Criamore. I figured people had to know something.

But what my local roommate, Edwina Larson, told me left me stunned. "A daughter? The Morrow family doesn't have a daughter."

I didn't believe her. "Not a biological one—what about an adopted daughter?"

She burst out laughing. "Please, they've got their own son. Why would they bother adopting someone else's kid?"

"So… the Morrow family only has one child?"

She nodded, then quickly shook her head. "Wait—no, not exactly."

My heart jumped. My eyes lit up.

"There was another son, apparently," she said. "But rumor has it he was sent overseas about ten years ago and never came back. Some say he was an illegitimate child."

And just like that, the hope in my chest flickered and died.

Eight years ago, the couple who came to adopt Leticia was the Morrow family—there was no doubt about that.

But since then, I'd quietly asked around, trying to dig up anything I could. And every answer I got was the same. "The Morrow family never adopted a girl."

So where did Leticia go? She had written me letters, said she was doing well living with them. She couldn't have been lying to me… could she?

I still didn't want to believe it. I told myself that maybe adopted children in families like that just weren't meant to be acknowledged publicly. That was why no one had heard of her.

So I kept looking. Kept asking. Even when it got me nowhere.

Then one day, my roommate Edwina invited a few of us out to celebrate her birthday. After dinner, the group decided to hit up a bar for drinks and dancing.

I wasn't interested—I didn't care for that kind of scene. But they wouldn't take no for an answer and dragged me along.

"Come on, Alisa," one of them laughed. "You're in college now! You've gotta try new things. Trust me, once you go to a bar, you'll be hooked."

While they danced their hearts out on the floor, I sat in a corner sipping juice, feeling totally out of place.

Then Edwina plopped down beside me. She leaned in, nodding toward one of the booths in the back corner. "See that guy sitting there, legs crossed, drink in hand?" she whispered.

I followed her gaze. Even in the low lighting, the man's striking features and effortless confidence were hard to miss.

"Yeah," I nodded. "He's pretty handsome."

"That's Preston," she said. "The Morrow family's only son."

The Morrow family. My whole body tensed.

I couldn't take my eyes off him.

While Edwina returned to the dance floor, I found myself getting up and walking toward him—almost on instinct.

"Hi… would it be okay if I got your WhatsApp?"

That was the first thing I ever said to Preston.

To this day, I had no idea where I found the nerve. I was just some nobody, standing in front of someone way out of my league, asking for his contact like it was nothing.

He froze for a second, clearly caught off guard, and just stared at me.

One of his friends spoke up before he could. "Whoa, look at you. His WhatsApp's not exactly easy to get."

Then he chuckled and added, "But you're different. Got that whole bookish good-girl vibe going on. A little awkward, kind of cute."

"Mr. Morrow, bet this is the first time a girl like this asked for your WhatsApp, huh?"

He elbowed Preston with a grin, clearly enjoying the moment.

Laughter rippled around the table. Their eyes swept over me like I was some kind of joke—something entertaining to pass the time.

I stood there frozen, feeling small and embarrassed under their amused stares.

Then Preston finally spoke. He set down his glass and looked at me, his tone gentle. "Sorry about that," he said. "My friend was out of line. I apologize on his behalf. But… I'm afraid I can't give you my WhatsApp."

Even his rejection was calm, polite, and smooth—like a true gentleman.

I walked back to my seat, deflated.

But deep down, I wasn't ready to give up.

Because Preston… he might be the only lead I had. The only thread that could bring me closer to the truth about Leticia.