Page 84 of The Billionaire's Heart

Not sure why, but it never occurred to me I might have siblings and this woman, Lynn Yates, has two sons, both in the military, although I don’t know which branch. My stomach dropped when I read that I have brothers. Also, the part where she lives practically next door. Well, about an hour north of here. She’s married, too. I wonder if she’s married to my real father.

The report listed her phone number, and it matches the one from the mysterious text messages I received off my old phone. Ian assured me I didn’t need to do anything with all this information, or I could reach out to her. It’s all up to me and that scares the shit out of me.

Two weeks ago, I was a lonely girl, looking for a job so that I could keep eating tuna fish sandwiches for dinner and keep the lights on in my one-room apartment. Now, I’m,technically,engaged to a billionaire, living in a mansion, own my own business, and my real mother is reaching out to me. What a ride.

After dreaming all night about this, when I woke up this morning, I decided I wanted to meet her. All my life I’ve wanted a family of my own and here is my blood relative reaching out. I don’t think I’d ever forgive myself if I didn’t take this opportunity to at least meet her.

When I told Ian this morning, he was completely supportive, but insisted that we get a DNA test. Neither one of us believes she’s not my mother just by looking at her picture, but he’s right, we should at least confirm what she’s claiming.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ian asks as my finger hovers over the send message in the text I’m about to send to Lynn.

I nod. “If I don’t, I might regret it later.”

“You don’t have to do this now; you can wait and think about it. There’s no rush. Especially after this morning.”

I know he feels bad about what happened this morning, but it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Mackenzie and her delusions. I just don’t know how to get him to let it go. He’s got nothing to be sorry about. “No, if I don’t do this now, then I don’t do it at all. I can’t live in limbo like this.”

He nods, “Okay, then. Send it when you’re ready.”

I reread the text that I’ve written and rewritten three times already and I finally hit send.

Me:This is Mia McIntosh and my new number.

Almost immediately, she replies.

Lynn:Hi Mia. Thank you for texting back.

I see those three dots pop up and then disappear, then pop up again. Then disappear again and then nothing comes through. I think she’s letting me dictate the pace.

Me:I don’t know how this should go or what the next step is.

Lynn:Me either, but I’d really like to meet you in person if you’re okay with that. I’m sure you have some questions for me. I know I would if I were you.

Me:Ok. That would be fine, but in order to take anything you say as the truth, I’d like a DNA test for verification. I hope you understand.

Lynn:That is completely understandable. Just tell me where and when, Mia. It’s smart for you to be careful.

Ian’s reading our conversation over my shoulder, and I look up at him. “What do I say?”

“Tell her to pick a day and I can have the lab send someone over to do the test.”

“Just like that? You can have someone from some random lab come over to do a DNA test at the drop of a hat? Must be nice being a billionaire.” I tease him.

“It is. You’ll get used to it.” He teases back as he kisses the side of my head and I decide to ignore his comment for now. One monumental moment at a time, thank you very much.

Me:Why don’t you pick a day and time, and we can arrange the test and to meet.

Lynn:How does this afternoon work for you?

Whoa.

Um…

Me:Are you sure? Aren’t you working? It is Monday.

Lynn:I’m off today since tomorrow is the Fourth of July. I took a long weekend. I can come to you or meet you anywhere. It’s up to you, Mia. I’m at your mercy.

I look over my shoulder at Ian. “What do you think?”

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