I work as an architect in a prestigious construction company and recently got the chance to present a big project to investors in Los Angeles. It was an important opportunity that could lead to the long-awaited promotion I always dreamed of. This trip was also very meaningful for me personally. I wanted my mother, Melissa, to be proud of me. She was not only a mother to me, but also a best friend. She had raised me on her own after my father left before I was born. My mother always supported me and said that I could achieve anything I dreamed of. “You can do it, Courtney, you always do everything at the highest level,” she said when I told her about my meeting with the investors in Los Angeles. “I will pray for you. You can do anything!” As I sat on the plane, nervousness overcame me. Suddenly, the stewardess Bethany came to me with a tray of drinks. “May I offer you something to drink?” she asked, and I chose the usual orange juice. “Thank you,” I said as she handed me the glass. She noticed something on my wrist, looked at the birthmark, and then suddenly asked for my passport. Surprised, I handed her the passport. “Sorry for the inconvenience, it’s a standard check,” Bethany said as she gave me back my passport with a smile. “Thank you for your patience!” After a while, she came back and asked quietly, “Do you have any urgent matters after landing?” “Yes, I have to change to another flight,” I replied, worried that I would be late. “Why are you asking?” “The pilot wants to speak to you after landing,” she said. “He insists. I understand that you are in a hurry, but believe me, you don’t want to miss this conversation.” I didn’t know what to think of this. Why did the pilot want to speak to me? However, I decided not to refuse. After landing, I expected to see someone from the crew, but a man with gray hair entered the cabin and looked at me as if he knew me. His look was… familiar. As he approached, I felt my heart beat faster.
The man looked at me and said, “Courtney, is that you?” I stood there in complete amazement. “Who are you?” I asked, confused. He sighed deeply and reached out to show the birthmark on his wrist that was exactly like mine. “I’m Steve,” he said, his voice shaking. “I’m your father.” I was stunned. My mother had always said that my father had died before I was born. My head was spinning. “But… but mom said that you… that you were dead,” I whispered. “It’s a long story,” he said, looking me in the eyes. “When you were still in my womb, Melissa left me because she was afraid that if I found out about you, I would give up my dream of becoming a pilot. I didn’t find out about you until many years later.” I couldn’t believe it. Was my mother lying to me? Why did she hide the truth from me? “But why did she do that?” I asked, not knowing how to react. “She was afraid I wouldn’t be able to handle it,” Steve said, his voice quiet. “But I’ve never loved her less. And of course, I’ve never forgotten what you are to me.”
I immediately called my mother. “Mom, have you been lying to me all this time?” I asked, barely containing my emotions. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth?” On the other end of the line, I heard her heavy breathing, then her voice became shaky. “Courtney… I’m so sorry,” she said. “When we were young, Steve wanted to be a pilot, and I knew he would give up his dream if he found out about you. I left so as not to destroy his life. I thought I was protecting us all, but now I see how much it hurt us.” Steve looked shocked when he heard my mother’s words. He said quietly into the receiver, “Melissa, I would give anything to be with you and our daughter. Why didn’t you trust me?” “I was scared, Steve,” my mother replied, her voice becoming almost incomprehensible. “I couldn’t tell you. I’m so sorry.” We were both silent for a few seconds before I spoke again. “What should we do now?” I asked, a thousand thoughts circling in my head. But the answer came from Steve. “You have to go to the meeting with the investors, Courtney.
It’s an important moment for your project, and I can help you,” he said firmly. “I know these people. Give me an hour.”After an hour, I found myself in a sleek conference room where the meeting went just great. The investors were impressed with my project, and I received all the funding I needed. My boss immediately called to tell me that they offered me the promotion. As I left the building, Steve met me with a proud look. “You did it, Courtney!” he shouted, and I finally felt how everything in my life suddenly fell into place. We hugged tightly. A week later, Steve met with Mom, and their reunion was full of emotions, tears, and laughter. Finally, we became a real family. As I lay in bed, I wondered how an ordinary flight to Los Angeles had become the turning point in my life. It seemed unbelievable, but it was my reality.
