The sun shone bright as my best friend Lisa and I enjoyed a weekend at the beach, free from school stress. Suddenly, I spotted a familiar figure by the water.

“No way,” I whispered, my heart racing.

“Is that your dad?” Lisa asked, squinting.

“Yeah, but he said he was in New York!” My stomach twisted as I watched him laugh with a young woman who looked even younger than me.

Growing up, I’d always been close to my dad, who taught me how to ride a bike and never missed a soccer game. My parents seemed happy together, but now I felt my world spinning.

“Maybe it’s not what you think,” Lisa said, but I couldn’t shake my unease.

I took a deep breath and called my mom. “Where’s Dad right now?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“In New York, of course. Why?” she replied.

I hung up, my mind racing. If he was supposed to be in New York, what was he doing here? I snapped a picture of them and sent it to Mom with the message: “Dad?”

A couple on the beach | Source: Amomama

Mom called back quickly. “Sweetie, I know who that is.”

“You do? Who is she?”

“That’s not your dad’s girlfriend. That’s his daughter.”

“What?” I was stunned. “His daughter?”

Mom explained, “She’s his daughter, but she’s not mine. I’m so sorry we never told you.”

I felt frozen, tears welling up. “How could you keep this from me?”

“I’m so sorry, sweetie. We thought it was best for you not to know.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I hung up and marched toward my dad. “Dad!” I shouted.

His smile faded. “Honey, what are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here? Who is she?”

He glanced at the young woman, then back at me. “I can explain—”

“Explain what? That you’ve been lying to me? That you have another daughter?”

His face went pale. “I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“You had twenty years!” I yelled.

The young woman looked uncomfortable. “Maybe I should go…”

“No, wait,” Dad said. “Please, just listen.”

He took a deep breath. “After you were born, your mom and I had a rough time. I made a mistake—I cheated. I thought we were done. A few weeks later, we made up, but then I found out that woman was pregnant. I didn’t want to lose you or your mom, so I took care of her but stayed with you.”

“What about her?” I pointed at my half-sister. “What about your other daughter?”

“I tried to be there for her too,” he said quietly. “I know I’ve hurt both of you, and I’m so sorry.”

I walked away, tears streaming down my face. I didn’t know if I could forgive him. Could I really move past this?

Taking a deep breath, I called him back. “Dad?”

“Yes, honey?”

“I’m still really mad at you,” I admitted, “but I understand why you didn’t tell me.”

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

“Maybe we can start over. I’d like to meet her.”

“I’d like that too,” he replied.

We sat down for dinner, and Jenna, my half-sister, broke the ice. “I’m Jenna. This is weird for both of us, huh?”

“Yeah, I’m Amy,” I said, smiling hesitantly.

We started to chat about our lives, and as laughter filled the air, it felt like we were beginning to become a family.