She bit her lip nervously, a habit your father had never had before. "I...well, it's like this Tim." She took your hands in hers as she sat down on the edge of your bed. "This whole operation that saved my life - it, uh, was kind of questionable. Nothing like this has ever been done before, and the hospital is afraid of the legal repercussions for what they did. Doctor Saunders pointed out what could happen to me if we went public. Maybe stuck in a lab or hospital room for years. Or at best be hounded by the media for the rest of our lives. So we've decided that I'm going to be this girl, Mariel from now on."
"But...but...you can't..." you gasped. "What about your life? What about me?"
Her eyes glistened with tears. "I'm sorry but it's for the best. Paul Connors died on the operating table. You're 18, so legally you're an adult. You'll get my insurance money as well as a sizable settlement from the hospital in return for keeping quiet, so I know you'll be okay." He paused. "I've already spoken to Mariel's - that is, 'my' parents, Michael and Victoria. They'll be here soon to check me out. They think the doctors saved me with brain surgery, but that's left me with serious gaps in my memory. So I'll muddle by until I learn enough about my new life."
"And me...us? You're all I have left?" you sobbed.
She shook her head. "I'm not giving you up, Tim, don't worry. Things will be different but I swear that we'll always be family."
"How? How can we?" you asked, looking down.
She gently lifted your chin so that you met her gaze. You stared into her deep black eyes, unable to see any sign of your father in this beautiful woman.
"I've given this alot of thought," she said in a soft voice. "The only option I can think of is..."
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