Page 45 of Contracted

I swallowed hard, Serafino’s hand warm on my back. A lump clogged my throat, tears pricking my eyes. “No. I don’t think you should,” I said huskily.

Some things really were best left in the past.

She swept a blue-veined hand toward her bed table. “Would you like a cup of tea? A biscuit?”

“No, thank you,” I managed. I backed away a step. I’d seen enough.

“We brought you these,” Serafino said, placing the bunch of lilies and red roses onto her bed. “I’ll have a nurse put these in a vase for you.”

“You’re too kind to me,” she said.

I wanted to agree with her, but I couldn’t. She was no longer the same horrid woman I remembered. It was as if she’d reverted to some child-like version of herself. I looked around the room. Either way, it looked like she was getting what she deserved without any input from me.

I repressed a sudden giggle. Did this woman realize Serafino could break her neck as easily as he’d given her flowers? I knew he’d do exactly that if it meant protecting me.

I sighed heavily, then stepped closer and bent to kiss her dry, sunken cheek. I shuddered just a little. It was so hard now to believe this woman had once terrorized me and made me run away from the only home I knew.

The same home I now owned and which I’d eventually test my skills on once I’d graduated from my interior design and decorating degree.

“Thank you for visiting,” my stepmother said. Her watery gaze flitted left then right. “You do make a beautiful couple. I bet you’ll make beautiful children.”

I sniffed back sudden tears, reflexively twirling the gold band on my finger. “I only wish my dad was still around so that he could see his future grandchildren.”

Not that we were planning on having a family anytime soon. We had plenty of time to become parents.

She stiffened. “Your dad?” Her eyes suddenly sharpened, a whole lot of knowledge filling them. “I knew him didn’t I? And I knew you. I-I missed him and you were a constant reminder.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry for how I treated you.”

Her mind appeared to be shutting down fast. Her eyes were dulling and becoming unfocused, but a weight was lifting off my shoulders when I said softly, “I forgive you.”

When we walked out of her room, out of the nursing home and toward the driver waiting for us beside our car, I glanced up at Serafino and said softly, “I’m beyond ready now to move on with my life.”

He drew in a sharp breath, his nostrils flaring. “That is music to my ears, little firebird.” He reached out and caught my hand. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

I glowed, warming from the inside out. If I was his world then he was most certainly mine. We belonged together.

Soul mates.

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