Anna never would have thought that her life would turn into a detective story. But one random phrase from her friend changed everything.
— Are you sure this isn’t a mistake, Vera? — she whispered, feeling her heart begin to race.
— No doubts at all, — Vera leaned in closer. — I saw your mother-in-law leaving a jewelry boutique. And it was definitely not a costume jewelry store.
Anna froze. Her mother-in-law, Helen Parker, had always been the embodiment of restraint and thriftiness. She constantly repeated that expensive jewelry was a waste of money. And now…
— But where did she get the money for fine jewelry? — Anna could barely contain her excitement.
Vera shrugged playfully, smiling:
— Maybe she has a secret admirer?
Anna felt a chill run down her spine. That was absurd. Her mother-in-law lived for her husband and son, her family was always impeccable. But… something was off.
Her in-laws’ anniversary was the perfect opportunity to observe more closely. Anna wore the same necklace that her mother-in-law had given her, calling it “inexpensive costume jewelry.” But now, under the chandelier’s light, the stones sparkled so brilliantly that she couldn’t take her eyes off them.
She approached her mother-in-law:
— Thank you for this gift, it’s truly exquisite.
— The most important thing is that you like it, dear, — Helen Parker smiled gently.
Her voice was steady, but in her eyes… something flickered, like a shadow. Anna felt a sense of foreboding. She was on the right track.
The next day, something unexpected happened: her father-in-law appeared at her office.
— Anna, we need to talk, — his voice was quiet but tense.
Victor Parker looked exhausted. He ran his fingers through his graying hair and spoke:
— I found keys in Helen’s bag. To an apartment I know nothing about.
Anna clenched her hands tighter. This was no coincidence. She had to find out the truth.
That evening, she met Victor Parker at a café. He pulled out his phone and showed her an address.
— I followed her, — his voice trembled. — She really goes there. And a young man is waiting for her.
Anna felt the world around her stop.
— A young man? Are you saying…
Victor shook his head:
— He looks a lot like Max.
The hospital corridor was flooded with harsh white light. Helen Parker lay in a hospital bed after a heart attack, and beside her sat the same young man. He lifted his head, and Anna almost lost her breath.
Before her sat an exact copy of her husband, only several years younger.
— Who are you? — she barely whispered.
— Alex, — he replied. — Helen Parker’s son.
Anna couldn’t believe it. A son? Another one? But how?
Max, standing beside her, couldn’t hold back any longer:
— Mom, tell me this isn’t true!
Helen Parker opened her eyes, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
— Forgive me… I couldn’t tell you…
The truth was bitter. Alex was the son of Gregory, Victor Parker’s older brother. Gregory had disappeared many years ago, and Helen Parker had secretly raised his child. She hadn’t wanted to destroy her family, but when Alex fell ill and needed expensive treatment, she began selling her jewelry.
Max sat in silence, his hands clenched.
— Why didn’t you tell me? Why am I only finding out now? — his voice trembled with pain.
Helen Parker sobbed:
— I was afraid of losing you. But in the end, I lost everything…
A heavy silence filled the room. Finally, Victor Parker took a deep breath:
— Now we have a choice. We can fall apart. Or… we can stand together and help Alex.
Anna took Max’s hand. He looked at her, then at Alex. His eyes burned with pain and doubt. But finally, he took a step forward and extended his hand to his brother.
— We are family. And family should stick together.
Alex looked at him in surprise. Then, he smiled.
That night, Anna couldn’t sleep for a long time. She knew their lives would never be the same. But she also felt hope. Hope that this experience would make them stronger.
She turned to Max and whispered:
— You did the right thing.
He wrapped his arms around her, and in his eyes, there was no more anger or resentment. Only peace.
And perhaps, this was the beginning of something new.
