Dad was still fuming. The next day, he had the secretary take me to handle the paperwork for terminating the adoption.

The agreement was straightforward, essentially stating that we would no longer be connected.

I skimmed through it and signed my name.

The secretary adjusted his glasses and looked at me with a blank expression. “Miss Wilson, Mrs. said if you just apologize…”

“No need,” I replied, handing the document back to him and shaking my head.

On the day we went to the civil affairs bureau, Mom came along. As we emerged, it was midday, and the sun was blazing high in the sky. The light was blinding, making...