Christina Jennings walked purposely but reluctantly into the high-style suite near the top of the skyscraper. It was her mother's suite. Usually she never came here unless asked. That is, if her mother had scheduled an appointment to check in with her. That's all Christina seemed to be to her, a liability that needed looked in on every once in a while. But this time she had come of her own volition, and, surprisingly, she had been welcomed in. Of course, she had known for a long time now why she was sidelined. She was a twin. A fraternal twin. But more than that, her biological father was not her mother's husband.

A pair of twins from two different fathers. It was not unheard of, but still rare. As for the other twin... she had realized who they were this very year. They had been in the same guild together during a beta-test for Panarena Fantasy Online. After the guild broke up, the twin had sent her a message.

This is your sibling. Not a full sibling mind you, a half-sibling. Your twin from another father. Our mother's real husband. I will not identify myself further, anymore than I did in the game. You complained an awful lot about our mother... but I won't tell her that. I just want you to stop talking about her. At all. Or at the very least, apologize for all the coldness you show her. Or maybe I will tell her about how you talk about her in the game. Maybe she'll take back the system she generously gave you.

Of course, I won't mind if you back off and go back to the status quo. I don't care that you exist. Just stop hurting my family.

Myanihia Black.

She had no idea at the time what to be most upset about; that she'd had a sibling she somehow never met, that her mother hadn't told her, that her real father or her apparent step-father had also made no noise, or that she was now getting threats from that unknown sibling for speaking her mind. But it didn't matter anymore. Myanihia Black, the unbeatable assassin, had been beaten. There was no room in her heart to hold on to a grudge any longer... especially now that she had friends who cared for and supported her. She strode boldly to the office where her mother apparently worked day and night. It seemed the luxury place she had been sequestered to was a side-house.

Whatever, Christina sighed, and pressed the button for the door.

“Come in.” the gentle but cold voice said as the door opened. She walked in confidently, approaching the desk at the far end. “Well this is an unexpected visit, to say the least. But how many times have I told you not to come in here looking like a slut?” Mrs. Jennings said.

“I don't want to be called a slut by a woman who had twins from two different men.” Christina calmly shot back. Her mother raised her eyebrows.

“So. You figured it out.”

“I got told, by my sibling... my sister, whoever they are.”

“Sabrina was always a capricious thing.” the older woman said with the hint of a smile.

“Sabrina...” the dark-haired girl breathed. A slight tremor ran through her. “Sabrina.”

“Yes, indeed.” her mother nodded. “So? What brings you by?” she then softly demanded.

“I just... wanted to know. Did I... not matter to you?” Christina wondered. The older woman stood from her chair, and walked to the window-walls that surrounded her office. Silence reigned for nearly a minute.

“I made a mistake. I slept with someone else on my wedding night besides... besides David. I was sleepless, even after... a long night, and I went wandering the halls with an itch. Your father is... a decent man. Conniving and charismatic, but decent. I gave myself to him to cure my itch... and ended up with twins. It wasn't until the tests came back that we were sure you two were from different fathers. David and I cared very much about you.” she said.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“It hardly felt like that some days.” Christina replied softly.

“I know. But David insisted on keeping it, and you, a secret. I don't know how Sabrina found out, to tell you the truth. I suspect this has something to do with the game, does it not?” the older woman said, turning back to her daughter.

“It does.” the younger girl admitted.

“Well, there you have it. A secret is out.”

“It is.”

“Are you angry? Confused? Hurt?” her mother asked in an aloof but not unkind tone. Christina smiled, shaking her head.

“No. I just wanted to have it all set straight for me by someone who knew best. I made up my mind not to be angry anymore. It's nobody's fault. I'm glad to be alive, and to have found a life with people who aren't afraid to show their love to me, and to each other as well.” the young lady said in reply, watching as her mother bit her lip.

“Yes. That... is a good thing.” Mrs. Jennings nodded. Christina then faintly blushed.

“I'm... sorry... for implying you were a...”

“No need to apologize.” the other woman gently smiled.

“W-well... still... I'm... also sorry... if I... ever...” she trailed off again. Her mother sighed, coming over to take her hands.

“You were a very troubled child, but it's our fault you got to that point.” she said to her daughter in a rare tone of softness. “You came here to express that you want to forgive us for all that, didn't you?” she then said, and Christina nodded. “Thank you. I don't expect either of us to suddenly change our relationship, but thank you, for at least this one gift.” the older woman said.

“And thank you... for giving so many people an escape, a world in which some scars can be mended.” Christina replied. The other woman smiled, nodding back as she let go of her daughter's hands.

“Anything else?” the older woman wondered with a faint smile.

“Ahh... um... M-m... Merry Christmas.” Christina said, turning red and then mumbling an awkward farewell. Her mother let out a short laugh.

“To you as well, Christina Renee.” the other replied as her daughter looked up with a half-smile before leaving. She exited the room, and Mrs. Jennings let out a sigh, writing a memo for herself.

Birthday present for Christina this year. Vacation wherever she wants to go, with whomever she wants to go with.

***

“How'd it go?” Mandy said as Christina emerged from the massive skyscraper. “

Ah... hm, I guess... it went okay.” the other girl replied, a faint smile on her face.

“Good.” the shorter girl nodded back, and the two of them set off together. “No ambush from Myanihia in there?”

“Not today.” Christina said. “Apparently... her name is Sabrina.”

“Hmm? Definitely a sister...”

“Guess so. But... I'm not just gonna start calling them sister, now.” the other smiled back.

“No, I don't suppose you would.” Mandy smiled.

“What's that supposed to mean?” Christina said with a laugh.

“No-thing.” Mandy returned, subtly nudging the other girl with her hip. They smiled at each other, giggling after a moment. “Moving day in five days, huh?”

“Mmhm.” the dark-haired girl nodded. “Hopefully it doesn't snow again.” she shivered.

“You should really find an actual shirt, or a sweater.”

“I hate them.”

“What if I pick one out for you?”

“Ahh--!!” Christina blushed, looking away quickly.

“Tina?” Mandy asked her.

“N-n--nothing!” the other stammered out. Mandy smiled, brushing a few strands of her platinum-blonde hair out of her face and putting an arm around the other girl.

“Stop for a drink on the way back?” she then asked.

“Sure.” Christina agreed, and with that they turned to the left down the next street, heading for their second favorite bar.