Page 65 of Bound By Secrets

If these guys hadn’t come into my life and gained my trust, I never would’ve met Colin. I wouldn’t have peace of mind knowing that my mother and my baby sister are safe.

But, after everything with Fraser and then Derek and Cameron leaving, I don’t think I could handle reading what’s on those sheets of paper right now.

Everything has been happening so quickly and it’s overwhelming.

Terrifying.

I’m not even sure I want to hear Callum tell me, but I know that I need to be kept in the loop.

My eyes stay transfixed on my brother as he slides the paper into his back pocket.

Brad moves closer to me again, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into his chest, surrounding me with his warmth. I rest my head against him, listening to the steady beat of his heart as it beats against my ear, and he presses a firm kiss to the top of my head before whispering, “It’ll be okay. I’ve got you.”

“I’m not even really sure what document to tell you about first,” my brother mutters, pushing a hand into his dark hair, ruffling the already messy strands.

“Cameron’s first,” Nate says, slapping a hand down on Callum’s shoulder. They share a loaded look, and then Callum nods and faces me.

“There were two papers together. One was Cameron’s birth certificate, and the other one was adoption papers.”

My brows furrow in confusion and I loosen my hold on Brad as I subconsciously lean towards my brother as if maybe I misunderstood what he said.

“Adoption papers? What do you mean adoption papers?”

Callum throws his arms out in an elaborate sort of shrug. “Mum adopted him! On his fifth bloody birthday.”

“B-but that means that she’s not his-” I stop my sputtering speech as my brain works overtime, connecting all of the dots together and replaying everything that Cameron has said or done over the years.

Beating us for years on end with no remorse.

“I would’ve been fine if it wasn’t for her.”

“Nothing wrong with it Cal, you ain't no sister of mine.”

Pleasuring himself whilst watching Fraser assault me.

“It all makes sense now, all the comments he used to make about us not being related.” Callum’s face twists when I speak, and I watch as he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth, a light sheen forming over his eyes.

His chin wobbles, and he draws in a shaky breath as he steps towards me, pulling me out of Brad’s embrace and into his.

“Your birth certificate was there as well, Callie. We were right, Derek’s not your dad.”

My body stiffens and I feel my heart clench at his admission.

“Is that good news or bad news?” Brad asks from behind me, placing a hand at the base of my spine.

“I’m not sure how to feel about it, in all honesty,” I whisper, pushing my face into my brother's chest.

“You know it doesn’t change anything for us,” he murmurs, lightly squeezing me. “There won’t be none of this half-siblings bullshit. You’re still our little sister.”

I peer up at him and smile despite the sadness coursing through my veins.

I should be ecstatic learning that I’m biologically not related to that devil. I guess I am, but I also feel confused and betrayed.

My mother knew that Derek wasn’t my father and she never told me. The only reason I ever had suspicions was because of Cameron’s snarky comments over the past few years.

If my mother managed to keep this and Cameron’s adoption a secret, then what else could she be hiding?

“Well, apparently, Johnny had no idea. He’s fuming. How many fucking secrets does this family have?” Connor shouts, stomping back into the room with Ryker. When his furious gaze lands on Callum and me, his features soften and his brows crinkle.

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