The rain had settled into a quiet drizzle by the time Celeste stepped into the family's living room. The familiar scent of polished wood and flowers should have made her feel at ease, but tonight it only reminded her of how fragile her place here was. Elise and Jean were waiting for her, both with a careful, almost hesitant stillness in their posture.
Celeste paused. Something in the air felt off.
"Did something happen?" she asked, glancing between them.
Jean gestured for her to sit down. His face looked worn, his expression kind but serious. Elise was quiet, hands folded together tightly.
"Celeste," Jean began, choosing his words with care, "we'd like to talk to you about something important."
Celeste felt a subtle chill run down her back. She lowered herself onto the armchair opposite them.
Elise took a steadying breath. "We… had a test done," she said, her voice gentler than Celeste expected. "A DNA test."
Celeste blinked. "A DNA test? Why?"
Jean cleared his throat. "We needed to be sure of some things," he explained. "Since the accident, there have been… differences. Things you couldn't remember. Details that didn't match."
Celeste felt her hands go cold. "What did it say?"
Elise hesitated before answering. "It says you aren't biologically our daughter."
Celeste stared at them, barely processing the words. She tried to speak, but nothing came out.
Jean leaned forward, steady and calm. "This doesn't mean we're rejecting you, Celeste. We just want to understand. Maybe you could help us make sense of it."
"I…" Celeste swallowed, trying to steady her breathing. "I don't know what to say. I believed I was your daughter. I don't remember anything before waking up in that clinic."
Elise nodded, reaching across to gently hold Celeste's hand. "We don't think you're lying to hurt us. But if someone told you you were Celeste, maybe they had a reason."
Celeste closed her eyes, the memories of those first confusing weeks pressing down on her. "There was someone. Rhea. She helped me, told me who I was. I trusted her."
Jean listened quietly, thoughtful rather than angry. "And you had no reason to doubt her?"
Celeste shook her head. "No. I wanted to belong somewhere."
For a moment, nobody spoke. Elise squeezed Celeste's hand, offering a small, reassuring smile. "You've been part of our family since you came home. That doesn't change just because of a piece of paper."
Celeste felt her throat tighten with emotion. "You mean you're not sending me away?"
Elise's eyes grew wet. "Of course not. You are still our daughter in every way that matters. We'll figure out the rest together."
Jean nodded, calm but resolute. "We will get answers, Celeste. And you won't be alone while we do."
Relief crashed through Celeste so sharply it almost hurt. She let out a shaky breath, feeling the support in their voices sink in. They might have doubts, but they hadn't turned their backs on her.
Celeste leaned forward, finally finding steadiness in her voice. "Thank you," she said softly. "For not giving up on me."
Elise smiled, brushing her hair back like she had so many times before. "We'll get through it. All of us."
And for the first time in weeks, Celeste allowed herself to believe that might actually be true.