Hidden Secrets

Anna

“My dad?” I asked my eyes wide and ringing in surprise.

“Yes, Anna. That’s your father in that picture. I think all of this started with him.”

There was a long moment of silence between us. Chloe’s words churned my stomach as I gazed at the picture. I’d spent my entire life not knowing what my father looked like, so even when I saw him in that picture, I wasn’t still convinced that he was the one. He looked almost nothing like I imagined. Nothing like me.

The man in the picture had a long thick beard with a dark tan, tall where I was short, and black hair where mine was brown.

“I don’t believe you,” I said, stifling the tears in my eyes as I forced myself up from the bed.

I took a step and staggered, almost falling, but Chloe swiftly caught me before I lost my balance.

“I know this must all be too much for you, but it’s the truth. That man in that picture is your father, John Brookes. I’ve been following and researching your family for a long time, Anna, and I’ve found some thi