Page 14 of Divine Obsession

And I rememberedeverything.

“We thought you were dead.” Nico’s confession made me burst out laughing, helping me forget and move on from the bitterness.

“Nicolas!” Ines gasped, smacking him upside the back of his head, but nowhere near enough to hurt.

When Salvatore pulled out one of the chairs and looked straight at me, I gave a quick smile and took my seat at the table.

He then did the same for his wife, while the kids sat on the booth couch across from me.

“You… Knew about me?” I asked shyly, addressing my half-siblings.

“Father told us ever since we can remember.” I turned to look at Carmen who’d just spoken up. She fixed her shoulder-length hair that fell down in soft elegant curls, just like her mother. “He’s been looking for you for a very long time.”

Kim nodded. “We’re glad you’re okay. And that we finally get to meet you.”

Tears gathered in my eyes at the way practical strangers were welcoming me so easily into their family.

Something bloomed in my chest at the fact that someone had been looking for me this whole time, justifying the never-ending feeling of being lost I always suffered from.

“Oh, dear.” Ines dabbed my tear away with a tissue which used to be an origami swan, before wrapping her arms around me and holding me close.

We pulled away and I turned to face the whole table.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. From the bottom of my heart. I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll be around more. We have years to make up for,” Kim spoke confidently, practically jumping in her seat with excitement.

“I’d love to. Of course, if your parents are okay with that.”

“Our,” Nico corrected me with the cutest boyish grin.

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

A blush warmed my cheeks as I looked around the table at myfatherand stepmother.

“Take as much time as you need,mia cara.”

I didn’t tell Ines until later that year, on Christmas Eve, that that was what my mother used to call me.

Taking in a deep breath with a light shake, I spoke my mind. “I just can’t believe this is happening. I’ve been on my own since I was four.”

Salvatore clenched his jaw, a frown overtaking his features and I swear I saw his eyes turn glossy.

“Oh, Natalia…” Tears ran down Ines’ cheeks again as she pulled me into another tight embrace.

When we pulled apart, Salvatore reached over the table, holding my hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t find you sooner,cara.”

I waved it off, wiping off the fresh tears under my eyes. “It’s in the past.”

When he smiled, so did I.

Three hours later, my cheeks ached from smiling and laughing so much, and my throat was sore from speaking for so long. I was all caught up on the generalities of their life, and them on mine. We’d talked about everything from how each of us was doing in school and work, to hobbies and interests, music and culture. It was one of the most stimulating, yet comforting conversations I’d had in a long time.

At five in the afternoon, in December, it was no longer light outside when we finally rose from the table. New YorkCity sparkled on the other side of the two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Thank you so much for lunch. I can’t even explain how grateful I am. Truly.” I smiled, addressing Salvatore and Ines.

“You’re not leaving, are you?” I lowered my eyes to find Nico tugging on my hand.

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