Chapter 2

"My parents," Alex said, nodding towards Joe and Mary, "are right here."

Mary stepped forward, putting a comforting arm around Alex. "We told Alex about her adoption when she was eighteen, Mrs. Vance. We wanted her to know, always."

Joe added, "We even started a small trust fund for her college. She's a smart girl, got a full ride to MIT for engineering next fall."

Eleanor looked at the Millers, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you. For taking such good care of her."

"She's our daughter," Mary said simply, her voice firm but kind.

Alex appreciated their unwavering support. They weren' t just her adoptive parents; they were her rock.

"This wildfire story," Alex said, turning back to Eleanor. "It sounds... convenient for a mix-up."

Eleanor flinched slightly. "It was a real disaster. The hospital was overwhelmed. Records were lost, everything was frantic. I was young, scared... I didn't question things until much later, when certain... discrepancies appeared."

Alex filed away the word "discrepancies."

"So, this Richard," Alex said. "He's my biological father. And he wants to meet me?"

"Yes," Eleanor said. "We both do. We live on the East Coast. In Connecticut."

A world away from their small Nevada town.

Alex thought for a moment. This was big. Life-changing big.

But she wasn't one to run from a challenge, or the truth.

"Alright," Alex said. "I'll meet them."

Eleanor let out a shaky breath of relief. "Oh, thank you, Alex."

"But my parents come with me," Alex stated, looking at Joe and Mary. "At least for the initial trip. And I'm not missing the start of my MIT program for anything."

"Of course," Eleanor agreed quickly. "Whatever you need."

Joe looked at Alex. "Are you sure, kiddo?"

"Yeah, Pop. I need to know."

Mary squeezed her shoulder. "We're with you, sweetie. Every step."

The next few days were a blur of arrangements. Eleanor was efficient, if a little overwhelmed by the Millers' down-to-earth practicality.

Before they left, Joe pulled Alex aside in the garage, the smell of oil and metal a familiar comfort.

"Listen, Alex," he said, his voice serious. "These Thorne people, they're rich. Different world. Don't let them push you around. You're a Miller, and you're smarter than any of 'em, I'd bet my last wrench on it."

Mary hugged her tight at the small local airport. "Just be yourself, honey. That's more than enough."

Alex hugged them back, feeling a surge of love and gratitude. They were her anchor.

As the private jet Eleanor had chartered took off, Alex looked down at the familiar dusty landscape of Nevada.

She was flying towards an unknown future, but she wasn't flying alone.