Chapter 1

I grew up in a group home.

But I always knew I had a mother.

She was like my invisible guardian angel. Whenever I was in danger, she would appear out of nowhere to save me.

This was our silent, unspoken understanding over the years.

The other kids at the group home used to laugh at me, saying I was delusional.

"Just wait until she comes back!" I would yell. "Then you'll see I'm not lying!"

Sometimes, kind-hearted couples came wanting to adopt me.

But I always refused. "No. I'm waiting for my real mom to take me home!"

Eventually, all the kids who entered the home at the same time as me were adopted.

I was the only one left, completely alone.

Mrs. Gable, the director, sighed and sat down beside me.

"Stop waiting, Chloe. Your mother isn't coming back."

But I didn't believe her. Not even for a second. Because I knew the truth.

My mom had just visited me the night before.

"Chloe, a lovely couple is here. They want to meet you. Why don't you come to the garden with me?"

Mrs. Gable stroked my hair gently as she spoke.

"They just want to talk and get to know you. They aren't trying to force you to leave with them."

"I heard they even brought you a little gift. Don't you want to see what it is?"

Looking at her warm smile, I knew exactly what she was doing. She was trying to coax me into another adoption meeting.

Because I was quiet and well-behaved, countless people had wanted to adopt me over the years.

But every single time, I rejected them.

This time was no different.

"I’m not going! Stop tricking me, Mrs. Gable. They don’t just want to talk. They want to take me away!"

"How many times do I have to say it? I have a mom! I’m waiting for my real mom to take me home!"

I stood up, hands on my hips, looking at her with absolute seriousness.

Mrs. Gable let out a long sigh, her eyes filled with pity.

"Chloe, everyone else from your group has been adopted. They’ve started new lives. They have loving homes, and parents who adore them."

"If you're worried about your foster parents treating you badly, I promise I’ll visit you every single week. I’ll make sure you grow up happy and healthy, okay?"

I didn't even look up.

Instead, I kept coloring the greeting card in my hands and replied casually,

"I'm making a card for my mom. I don't have time to talk."

"She came to see me last night. I'm going to leave this card by the window tonight. When she comes back next time, she’ll get my present!"

To prove my point, I waved the card in front of Mrs. Gable.

Just then, Harper walked past the room. She was another girl from the home, and she had just been adopted by a wealthy young couple.

Today was her moving day.

Hearing my words, she burst into a loud, mocking laugh.

"Mrs. Gable, is Chloe actually crazy?"

"She brags about having a mom every day, but she’s never even seen her face!"

"No wonder no one wants to adopt you, Chloe. You’re a total psycho!"

With a smug sneer, she turned around, grabbed her new parents' hands, and walked away.

Mrs. Gable immediately tried to soothe me. "Chloe, don't listen to Harper. She didn't mean it."

Why would I be angry?

I knew I wasn't crazy. I didn't care about Harper's insults at all.

Soon, I would prove to everyone that I wasn't lying.

That night, I purposely used a pair of scissors to make a small cut on my finger. Then, I placed the greeting card right on the windowsill.

When I woke up the next morning, a cartoon bear band-aid was neatly wrapped around my finger. The card on the windowsill was gone.

I jumped out of bed, practically screaming with joy as I ran into the courtyard.

"Mrs. Gable! I told you my mom is real!"

"Look at this!"

I rushed up to her and held my finger high in the air.

Mrs. Gable stared at the band-aid, completely stunned.

But a second later, she smiled warmly at me.

"I believe you, Chloe."

"Because your biological family has actually found you."

"They are coming to take you home today."

My eyes widened. I couldn't believe my ears.

Mom was really coming back!

My card actually worked!

Suddenly, a deep voice sounded from behind me.

"Sweetheart, I've come to take you home."

I turned around excitedly, but then I froze.

The person standing there was not my mother. It was a strange man.