Chapter Two
Liza’s POV
I woke up slowly. Some days were like that.
Days when I imagined what it would feel like to wake up in a different place, as a different person, born of different parents.
Days when I wondered how many decisions concerning me were being made behind my back.
Days when I wished I could just snap a finger and all the mysteries on my mind would magically unravel.
Days like that had been frequent recently.
I forced my body off the bed and, hugging the ends of my cream-colored satin sleepwear closer, I made my way to my bathroom.
Leaning against the ceramic sink, I took in my reflection in the mirror.
On the surface, nothing seems to have changed.
It was the same pair of eyes, the same smooth face, the same nose and mouth that stared back at me.
That was what everyone saw when they looked at me.
But I saw the gloom that followed every blink of my eyes.
I saw the scary apprehension that shadowed my whole expression every single time I let myself think of my recent discovery.
I would be lying if I said I never knew there was a dark side to my dad’s dealings.
I had always known it, just like I had always known I loved lending my voice to charity.
I was far from naive, so I knew his sudden travels, subtle calls, ever-changing bank accounts, and dangerous expressions in the presence of certain people pointed to his dirty business.
It’s just that I never knew what it was.
But, since my discovery, I knew he was in trouble. Huge debts, most likely.
I still remember that night like it was yesterday and not several months ago.
“I’ll be fine. It’s just a headache, Pee,” I pointed out, chuckling as I undid my seat belt.
“Yeah, a headache is usually the beginning of other things,” he argued as he got out of the driver’s seat.