Page 81 of The Billionaire's Heart

I slam my computer closed, disgusted with what I’ve been thinking for the last hour. How could anyone do that to a child? No, I need to clear my head before I let Mia read this.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to see my mother’s smiling face on the display. She has always had the best timing.

“Hello, Mother.”

“Just calling to check in on you, since you never call me.” She starts right off with a guilt trip that I completely deserve because she’s right. I usually talk to her a few times a week, but just haven’t had the time. Another reason for my new business plan.

“I’m sorry, Mom. It’s been a busy few days. How are you?”

“I’m good. So is your father. We’re just over here planning your engagement party for Friday. You are still engaged, right?” she asks hesitantly.

I smile at the image of Mia and I in bed this morning. “Yes, Mother, I am.”

“Good, because I really like Mia and I can’t wait to welcome her into the family.”

“Me, too. Listen, Mom. I want to ask you a question.”

“Anything. You know that.”

“This may sound strange, but why would a mother give up a child and then go on to raise two other children?” The silence on the other end of the phone is deafening and I pull it away from my ear to make sure the call hadn’t dropped. “You still there, Mom?”

“Yeah, I’m still here. Why do you ask?”

Hesitant to divulge Mia’s past, but determined to figure this out, I decide to confide in my mother. “Mia grew up in foster care and now someone has reached out saying she’s her real mother. After reading the background check…”

“She has other children.” Mom states correctly.

“Yeah. It appears that Mia has two younger brothers.”

“I see. Well, I will tell you that her mother, if this really is her mother, did not decide to give up her first child easily. There had to be a really good reason for her to do that. For a mother who is naturally inclined to protect her children, there must have been a really good reason for her to decide to give up her first child, as handing over a helpless infant to someone you don't know takes a level of courage that most people in this world don't possess. If she gave up Mia, then she actually did one of the most selfless acts a human could possibly do, Ian.”

I say nothing as I’m processing what she’s telling me and she’s not wrong. I wasn’t thinking of it like that. Giving up a child is a selfless thing to do, if for the right reasons.

“Ian, when you have your own children, you’ll understand better. There’s nothing greater than the love between a child and a parent. It’s a bond that you just can’t understand until you’ve experienced it from both sides.”

“Is that a hint, Mother?” I tease.

“Yes,” she laughs, “I want grandkids. Hurry up and marry the woman, son.” She pauses, “I can hear the judgement in your voice, but give the woman a chance to explain herself.”

“But Mia had a horrible life and no one to protect and love her.”

“Yes, that’s probably true, but if her mother hadn’t put her up for adoption, how much worse could it have been for her?”

“I see your point. Thank you, Mom.”

“Anytime. Do you think she is her real mom?”

I open up the email again and Lynn Yates’ picture pops up. “Yeah, I do.”

“Does Mia know you’re looking into this?”

“She does.”

“Good. Honesty is the only way to start a marriage.” The guilt of my fake engagement to Mia weighs heavily on me. Especially the lying to my family. I’m hoping to rectify that soon, though.

“How did you know Dad was the one for you?” I don’t think I’ve ever asked either of them this question before.

“He made me feel seen and loved.”

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