Chapter 2

Sarah stood, tapping a glass for attention. It was time for her speech, a tribute to her sons. Just as she opened her mouth, the main doors of the dining hall burst open.

Mark Thompson strode in, older, a little heavier, but unmistakably alive. Beside him, clinging to his arm, was Brenda Sullivan, equally alive, her face a mask of practiced sorrow.

A gasp rippled through the room. Sarah remained still.

The Thompsons, however, showed a strange lack of shock. Patricia even managed a small, welcoming smile towards Brenda.

Mark advanced, his eyes fixing on Sarah.

"Well, Sarah," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You've done a commendable job with the boys. Better mother than you ever were a wife, that's for sure."

He turned to Alex and Ben, his expression shifting to one of aggrieved fatherhood.

"Boys, I'm your father. And this," he gestured to Brenda, "is your real mother, Brenda. Sarah kept us apart. She refused to grant me a divorce all these years, lied to you about our deaths."

George and Patricia nodded solemnly. "It's true, boys. Sarah was... difficult."

Linda chimed in, "She always was possessive."

Brenda rushed forward, tears streaming down her face.

"My babies! My darlings!" She tried to embrace Alex and Ben, who stood frozen.

She fumbled in her purse, pulling out faded photographs – pictures of two infants.

"See? I loved you. I took these secretly. I sent gifts, so many gifts, but Sarah... she must have hidden them."

Alex and Ben looked utterly bewildered, their faces pale. Eighteen years of their life, a lie.

Mark produced a set of legal documents from a briefcase an associate handed him.

"It's time to rectify this, Sarah. I want a divorce, finally. And you will sign these papers relinquishing all parental rights to Alex and Ben. They belong with their real mother and me."

He thrust the papers and a pen at Sarah.

All eyes were on her. The whispers in the room grew louder.

To everyone's astonishment, Sarah picked up the pen. She didn't even glance at the documents.

She signed her name with a steady hand.

Alex cried out, "Mom, no! How can you?"

Ben looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and confusion. "You're just... giving us up?"

Sarah's heart ached for them, but she kept her composure. This was necessary.