Page 108 of The Unplanned Wedding

That’s why the Council’s file on me is so lean.

“But I thought of you every day.” She takes another sip of tea and sets down her cup. “It’s why, when the adoption search specialist reached out to me, I told her I’d be happy to meet you immediately.”

"You were?” I swallow.

“I’ve been expecting you.” She half smiles. “The adoption search specialist didn’t give me more details about you, but I’ve been hoping you’d turn up on my doorstep. And when I saw your face, it was like I was looking at a younger version of myself.”

Tears well up again, and I swallow them back. “And my father, what about him?”

Her features grow sad. “I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I didn’t know him. I’d sneaked into a nightclub, met him there and had sex with him in the back alley.” She rubs at her temple. “I never met him again. I didn’t know his name or who he was so I couldn’t tell him I was pregnant. I’m so sorry, June. I wish I had better news for you.”

My chest tightens. I glance away. It’s a lot to take in. I spent so much time thinking about my birth mother that my birth father was this shadowy figure who I hardly gave as much importance. And chances are, I’ll never find him, even with the services of the best adoption search specialist in the country.

She reaches over and takes my hand in hers again. “You have no idea how many times I regretted my choices. How many times I questioned my actions. But looking at you today, at the woman you’ve become, at how beautiful you are and how intelligent and so full of promise, I don’t regret anything.”

I peer into her face, and the calmness and the love in her eyes are a soothing balm. That place inside of me yearning for my mother so much and for so long relaxes. I turn my palm over and grip hers. “It’s so incredible, finally meeting someone whose features resemble mine. It’s like I’ve finally found an anchor. A thread that connects me to this earth. Like I’ve found an explanation for my being here, you know?”

She nods, and a tear rolls down her cheek. “I’m so sorry for all the years we lost. So sorry for everything you went through. I wanted to go in search of you, but also, I wanted to believe you were happy. And I didn’t want to intrude on your life. It had to be your choice to find me.”

I suppose, I understand. But also, I don’t. Maybe, a part of me will never be able to understand why this happened to me. But it is what it is. What I do know is that I’m lucky now to have two mothers: Irene and Claire. Now that I’ve met her and have the opportunity to get to know her, I’m not going to squander that. I choose to heal. I choose the positive side of life. I choose to be happy. That much is in my hands. I allow my tears to flow and smile through them.

“You were too young when I was born, and you didn’t have a choice inrelinquishing me. Neither did I.” I turn my palm face up and clasp her fingers with mine. "I understand, you did what you thought was best. I forgive you.”

46

Knox

I tuck my wife into my side. She has her hands locked together and has barely spoken a word since we left Claire’s place.

An hour after I left, she messaged me and said she was ready to go. When I arrived to pick her up, she and Claire hugged.

Both women had tear-stained faces, but there seemed to be an understanding between them. The meeting, and whatever they spoke about during it, hopefully began the process of healing for both of them.

They promised to keep in touch, and June invited Claire to dinner at our place. She said she’d also invite Irene over. She'll call to confirm a date for some time soon. Then she patted Bruno, and we left.

Once inside the car, I open my arms, and she comes into my embrace willingly. She doesn’t say anything, and I let her be. It was a long and emotionally testing day, and I know she needs time to recuperate. So, I hold her close, kiss the top of her head, and stare at the passing scenery. When the car eases to a stop in front of our apartment block, I look down to find she’s fallen asleep. When the driver opens the door, I step out withher in my arms. She doesn’t move as I carry her inside and to our private elevator, then up to our penthouse. I remove her shoes and her skirt and pull the covers over her. Then, not yet ready to sleep, I walk out into the living room and prepare to pour myself a drink.

When the security app on my phone signals there’s someone at the door to the apartment, I stare at the face on the screen.Ryot? What’s he doing here?He’s the most silent of my brothers. He also doesn’t want anything to do with the Davenport Group.

He's chosen to forge his own way and has made it clear to Arthur he doesn’t want anything to do with the family fortune. So, to have him call is not an ordinary occurrence. It’s the only reason I allow the elevator doors to open on my floor. He stands there with a scowl on his face.

"Ryot," I say by way of greeting.

He glares at me but stays silent. No surprise there. I gesture for him to come in. He stomps past me toward the floor-to-ceiling windows that cover one side of the living room, and stares at the lights of the city outside.

"Care for something to drink?"

He folds his arms across his chest.

"I take it, that's a 'no'?" I eye him warily. "What are you doing here?"

"You’re an asshole," he says by way of greeting.

"Thanks?" I respond, half amused, half pissed-off. If it were any of my other brothers, I tell them to fuck off.

But with Ryot… Considering he never wastes his words, when he speaks, you listen.

"If you were in my place, you’d realize how lucky you are. If you saw what Michael's going through, you’d realize how fortunate you are to have everything."

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