Hunters Hunted

Two red-haired people stood with joyful faces. They locked eyes with Vero, who hoped for something to happen right then and there. Perhaps a spark of longing or the overwhelming feeling of meeting a long-lost family member.

But... nothing.

She only smiled, just like them, without any emotions in her heart.

The woman, with curly hair, ran towards her and hugged her tightly. “Oh! My baby, Vivian!”

Vero frowned upon hearing the woman call her by another name. Then the man followed suit and, before embracing her, chuckled softly and said, “Your mother gave you the name Vivian before leaving you at the orphanage. But, of course, the nuns who took care of you didn’t know your real name.”

Both of them hugged Vero so tightly that it felt suffocating. Not to mention her father’s statement that they intentionally left her at the orphanage, as if it were a joyful event.

This was not the heartwarming reunion she had imagined.

As her parents released their embrace, a tear welled up in the corner o