I didn’t know what to think.
Then she quietly said something that completely changed everything.
“I’ve been trying to find her too.”
“What?”
“She’s stolen from people across three states.”
“My family has spent years apologizing for things we never did.”
“I’ve been questioned by police.”
“I’ve lost jobs.”
“I’ve even been detained at airports because someone reported seeing my sister.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“You think you’re the first person who’s accused me?”
I felt my certainty beginning to crack.
Just then Russell called from upstairs.
“Everything okay?”
I answered quickly.
“We’re fine.”
Nova wiped her eyes.
“I love your son.”
“I almost refused to meet you because I was terrified this would happen.”
“You knew?”
“I knew eventually someone would mistake me for Nora.”
“I just didn’t expect it to happen on the first visit.”
I slowly lowered my phone.
“Why didn’t you tell Zander?”
“I wanted to.”
“I tried.”
“But every time…”
“I couldn’t.”
“I was afraid he’d leave.”
Before I could respond, footsteps thundered down the stairs.
Zander.
He looked from me to Nova.
“What happened?”
Neither of us spoke.
“I told her,” Nova whispered.
He sighed.
“You know about Nora.”
“You knew?”
He nodded.
“From the beginning.”
I felt completely blindsided.
“You knew your fiancée had an identical twin wanted for fraud?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t tell us?”
“I wanted you to know Nova first.”
“Not her sister.”
I looked at my son.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“I know, Mom.”
“But Nova isn’t responsible for someone else’s crimes.”
He gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“I’ve met her parents.”
“I’ve seen childhood photos.”
“I’ve spoken to detectives.”
“They’ve questioned Nova dozens of times.”
“They cleared her every single time.”
I felt ashamed.
Everything suddenly made sense.
The nervousness.
The hesitation.
The fear in her eyes when she arrived.
She hadn’t been hiding guilt.
She’d been expecting judgment.
Later that evening, Clarice agreed to come over after I explained everything.
The moment she walked inside, she froze.
“My God…”
Nova stood quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
Clarice walked closer.
