Granny’s attic smelled of old books and forgotten memories. As I was sorting through boxes stacked in a corner, something suddenly caught my eye.

It was a pile of her old diaries, their leather covers worn and fragile. They looked so old, so mysterious. I hesitated for a moment, feeling a sense of guilt. Is it too bad to invade Nana’s privacy? But curiosity got the better of me…

I listened for any sound of Grandma coming up the stairs, then carefully opened one of the diaries.
My eyes scanned the pages. Suddenly, they caught on some words that made my heart stop. “What?!! I can’t believe it!!” I voiced out loud, with tears in my eyes.

As I rushed down the stairs, I found my worried grandma in her bedroom. She turned pale upon seeing the diary I was holding.

“IS THIS TRUE, NANA?! HOW COULD YOU LIE TO ME ALL THIS TIME?!” I yelled at her.

The words I read echoed in my mind: “My dearest Lily, if you ever find this, know that I am your mother, not your grandmother. I had to keep this secret to protect you. Your father was a dangerous man, and I had to shield you from his world.”

Tears streamed down my face as I confronted her, “You’re my mother? All this time, I thought my parents died when I was a baby!”

Grandma—no, Mom—sank onto her bed, tears welling in her eyes. “Lily, please understand, it was the only way to keep you safe. Your father… he was involved in terrible things. I had to disappear, to create a new identity for us both.”

I felt a whirlwind of emotions: betrayal, confusion, and a strange sense of relief. “But why didn’t you tell me when I was older? When I could understand?”

“I was afraid,” she whispered. “Afraid that the truth would lead you back to him. But now, seeing your pain, I realize I was wrong. I should have told you.”

The room was silent except for the ticking of the old clock. I took a deep breath, trying to process everything. “I need time to think,” I said, my voice trembling.

She nodded, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry, Lily. I did what I thought was best. But I understand if you hate me.”

I couldn’t find the words to respond. I turned and walked out of the room, clutching the diary to my chest. The attic was a treasure trove of memories, but it had also unleashed a secret that would change my life forever.

As I climbed back up the stairs, I knew I had a lot to sort through, both in the attic and in my heart. The woman I had known as my grandmother was actually my mother, and the life I thought I knew was built on a lie. It was a lot to take in, but I knew one thing for sure: our relationship would never be the same again.