"To lose a child is to lose a piece of yourself." - Dr. Burton Grebin

Riley Matthews. She was Cory and Topanga Matthews' daughter. She was their eldest. She was their baby girl. They loved her even though they didn't show it all the time. But Riley had to know that her parents loved her with their entire beings. Right? Cory and Topanga thought so. But they didn't realize how wrong they were. Not until it was too late.

They remembered the day that changed their lives forever. It was the day after the party for Maya. It was the day they learned that their beautiful, sweet daughter was no longer living. They remembered the two police officers who knocked on their door and the sympathetic expressions on their face. Seeing that look, Cory and Topanga knew something was wrong.

"Are you Cory and Topanga Matthews?" One of the officers asked.

"Yes, we are. Is there something we can help you with?" Topanga responded.

The officers looked at each other before looking back at the couple. After a second of hesitation the other officer began speaking. " I'm afraid we have some unfortunate news. You're daughter, Riley Matthews, is dead."

Once the officer was finished, the couple stayed completely still. They didn't blink, didn't make a sound, and even stopped breathing. They remained motionless for a few moments more.

Riley Mathews is dead.

"No, she isn't." Cory broke the silence, feeling like someone just punched him in the gut. "My baby girl is still sleeping in her room and she's alive." He denied the mere thought of Riley not being there with them anymore.

"Sir-"

"No, she isn't dead. She's still here. She's in her room." He repeated stubbornly . "I'll show you." Cory quickly made his way to Riley's room.

Not bothering to knock, Cory barged into the room and found no one there. For several minutes Cory continued to deny the truth, not wanting to believe the truth.

"Her body was found below the Manhattan Bridge." One officer softly said, his words stabbing Cory in the heart.

"No..no..not my baby girl. Not my baby girl." Cory sobbed. He broke down in front of the officers, not caring that they saw tears streaming down his face or that a couple of strangers were seeing him at such a vulnerable state.

Throughout this whole scene, Topanga remained still. Her eyes were glazed over, staring straight ahead. It was as if her gaze was focusing on something far away that only she could see. For once, her mind was completely blank. Her whole body was just...numb. It seems that Topanga wasn't allowing herself to accept the cruel reality.

The officers left after giving their condolences as if they didn't just gave them the tragic news that crushed their hearts.

Cory was breaking down on the floor of Riley's bedroom, cries of anguish and heartbreak filled the room. Topanga completely shut down, trying to protect herself from the devastation she knew was waiting. Both subconsciously knew that a piece of their hearts died along with their daughter.

Cory couldn't tell you if it was minutes or hours before his senses came back to him enough that he noticed the pile of letters that sat on Riley's bed. With shaky legs, Cory walked towards it, noticing who the letters were for. On one of the letters, his and Topanga's names were written. With a trembling hand he picked it up.

Dear Mom and Dad,

By the time you're reading this, I'll be dead. You're probably wondering why I did this. How could Smiley Riley kill herself? How could the daughter of Cory and Topanga commit suicide?

I'm not trying to hurt you, I never wanted to do that, but you're part of the reason why. Have either of you noticed that it has been years since the last time you spent quality time with me? Months since we've actually had a real conversation? Maybe you did and just didn't care. Maybe you were too busy or I'm being too sensitive. I don't really know if you'll miss me that much to be honest.

I was your daughter. But I didn't feel like it. I didn't feel like you believed in me. I didn't feel like a part of this family. I didn't feel like you cared. I didn't feel like you loved me. Not as much as you loved Maya. You always put her first. I tried to tell you guys how I felt and I tried to talk to you about the triangle. I needed my parents and I tried to reach out to you. But then Maya needed you too. I guess you just thought she was more important.

I wasn't good enough to be the daughter of Cory and Topanga. I love you but I just can't go on anymore. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being the daughter you were proud of. I'm sorry that I wasn't the daughter you wanted.

Your daughter, Riley Matthews

Another wave of pain came over Cory, the tears welled up in his eyes once again

The only thing fortunate that happened that day was that Auggie was at Ava's place. No child should have to witness their parents at such heartbreaking states. They knew eventually they were going to have to tell their son that his sister wouldn't be there as he's growing up.

How do you tell a little boy that his loving sister was no longer alive?

A/N: It isn't my best work but I hope you enjoyed reading it. Let me know what you think. I'm planning on doing Auggie next.