When my son Scott brought his girlfriend Kira home, I was stunned to recognize her. The meeting, meant to be joyous, turned into a nightmare when I realized she was the daughter I had given up for adoption years ago.

Scott had never mentioned any girlfriends, so we were surprised and concerned when he told us he met Kira online. Despite our worries about online dangers, Scott assured us, “She’s real! And she’s not a scammer.”

At dinner, I recognized a birthmark on Kira’s neck, identical to the one on my long-lost daughter. My heart raced as I realized the connection. Desperate, I tried to sabotage their relationship. “I think she’s not right for you,” I told Scott, but he was determined.

Finally, Scott proposed to Kira. Overwhelmed, I confessed, “You can’t get married! You’re brother and sister!” I revealed my secret past, and the truth shattered our family. Scott and Kira left in tears, and my husband declared, “I’m filing for divorce.”

In one evening, I lost everyone I cared about. The weight of my actions crushed me, and I didn’t know how I would ever put the pieces back together.