It’s been two years since Elizabeth passed, and some days, I still half-expect to see her walk through the door. I guess that’s normal when you lose someone you love that much. But I never expected what happened with Mia. I mean, how could I?

Elizabeth was everything to us — a loving wife and an incredible mother. She had this magical bond with Mia; they were inseparable, always giggling and playing together, like two halves of the same heart.

Every day without her has been a struggle, but even when the emptiness feels overwhelming, I’ve tried to stay strong for Mia.

My five-year-old daughter and I were slowly learning to live with grief until she announced one day with a confidence that took me completely off guard, “Mommy visits me at school.”

She looked up at me, her wide eyes full of certainty, clutching a drawing in her small hands. “She gave me chocolate today.”

I felt my heart skip a beat. Elizabeth, my wife — Mia’s mother — had been gone for two years now. It was cancer, and it was fast. Too fast. I thought Mia was too young to really understand. But now, hearing her say that, I didn’t know what to think.

“Sweetie, Mommy’s gone,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. “She can’t—”

“She can,” Mia cut me off, her little chin jutting out stubbornly. “She talks to me after recess. She watches me play, Daddy.”

At first, I thought it was just her way of coping, you know? Filling in the gaps with her imagination. But then, the drawings started coming home. Picture after picture of Mia and her mom — holding hands, playing in the schoolyard, sitting on the swings.

And it wasn’t just stick figures; she drew Elizabeth with this uncanny detail. The long, chestnut hair, the soft eyes, even the blue dress Elizabeth used to wear.

Then there were the chocolates. Mia would come home every few days with these small, neatly wrapped chocolates in her backpack. I didn’t pack them, and when I checked with the school, they had no idea either.

I started losing sleep. Every night I’d lie awake, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of it all. Finally, I decided I couldn’t just ignore it anymore. I called Mia’s school.

“Is there someone who’s been interacting with Mia?” I asked, my voice shaking.

Mrs. Blake, her teacher, hesitated on the other end. “Mr. Carter, I wasn’t sure how to bring this up, but… yes. There’s a woman who’s been talking to Mia at school. And outside, when school lets out.”

My heart sank. “What does she look like?”

There was a long pause. “She… she looks like your wife, Elizabeth. I’ve tried to approach her, but she always runs off before I can get close. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s unsettling.”

I was stunned. I didn’t know what to say or think. How could this be happening? Who was this woman?

That night, I couldn’t sleep at all. My mind raced with questions I didn’t have answers to. I decided I had to see for myself. The next day, I went to school early and hid near the playground, waiting for this mystery woman to appear.

Mia came out with the other kids, her laughter filling the air as she ran toward the swings. And then I saw her — a woman standing by the fence, watching Mia.

She wore a long coat, and her face was hidden under a wide-brimmed hat, but I could tell even from a distance. The resemblance was uncanny.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, my heart pounding. As soon as she saw me, she turned and bolted. But I was ready for that. I chased her down, cornering her near the back of the schoolyard.

“Who are you?” I demanded, out of breath, my hands shaking. “Why are you doing this?”

The woman turned slowly, and when she finally faced me, my heart stopped. She looked exactly like Elizabeth — older, maybe, but with the same face and eyes.

“I’m not who you think I am,” she said, her voice trembling. “My name is Angelina.”

I blinked, trying to process it. “Angelina? Elizabeth never mentioned—”

“She didn’t know,” Angelina said softly, tears brimming in her eyes. “I’m her twin sister.”

My mind reeled. “That’s impossible. Elizabeth didn’t have a sister.”

“She didn’t know,” Angelina repeated, her voice thick with emotion. “I only found out recently. When we were born, a corrupt nurse sold me to another family. They told our parents I had died, but the truth is…I was taken.”

I stumbled back, my mind struggling to process what she was saying. A twin? Elizabeth had a twin?

“I didn’t know either,” Angelina continued, tears streaking her cheeks. “But I found old hospital records. That’s how I found out about Elizabeth…and you, and Mia.”

I stared at her, still in disbelief. “But why…why pretend to be her mother?”

Angelina broke down, sobbing. “I lost my daughter,” she said between gasps. “She was only seven. A bus accident. Mia…she looks so much like her. And when I saw her at the park that first time, she called me ‘Mommy.’ I couldn’t say no. I didn’t mean for it to go this far.”

I felt my anger and confusion melt away, replaced by a heavy sadness. She was grieving too, just in a different way. But this had to stop.

“I’ll tell her,” Angelina whispered. “I’ll tell Mia who I really am. I owe her that much.”

The next day, we sat Mia down together, my heart racing. Angelina began, her voice gentle but trembling.

“Mia, sweetie,” Angelina started softly, tears welling in her eyes.

Mia’s face lit up. “Did you miss me, Mommy? Is that why you came back? I told Daddy, but he didn’t believe me.”

Angelina’s breath hitched, and she reached out, taking Mia’s tiny hand. “Oh, Mia,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’m not your mommy. I’m her sister, your Aunt Angelina. I’m so sorry if I made you think—”

Mia’s brow furrowed, glancing between us. “But you look like Mommy,” she whispered, confused but still holding onto hope, “And you… you gave me chocolates.”

Angelina nodded, her tears finally spilling over. “I know I do, and I’m so sorry, Mia. I didn’t mean to pretend or make you think I was your mommy. I just… I loved seeing you smile, and I was so happy that you wanted to be with me.”

Mia glanced at me, her eyes searching mine for answers. “Daddy, is she really my aunt?”

I squeezed her hand gently, my voice thick with emotion. “Yes, sweetheart. Angelina is your mommy’s twin sister. We didn’t know about her before, but she’s part of our family.”

Mia looked back at Angelina, her face still scrunched in thought. “So… you’re not coming to school anymore?”

Angelina’s voice cracked as she replied, “I won’t be pretending to be your mommy anymore, Mia. But I would love to still be in your life, as your aunt. We can still play, and I can still watch you be amazing, just as your aunt.”

Mia nodded slowly, trying to process it all. “Okay,” she whispered, still uncertain but accepting in her own way, like only a child can.

After that, Angelina stayed in our lives, not as a replacement, but as something different — an aunt, a friend, a part of our family we never knew we needed.