Page 52 of Revealing Mark
We made the arrangements and we ended the call. I sat for a while afterward, thinking how lucky I was to have the family I did, especially when I remembered the lack of photos in Mark’s apartment.
No matter what we were going through, even when we weren’t seeing eye to eye or even talking, I loved them and they loved me.
It was a bond, thicker than water.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I had a restless night’s sleep before my meeting with the lawyer, so by the time he knocked on my door promptly at nine am, I was ready to find out what was going on.
“Hi,” I answered and ushered him in.
He was older by at least a few years but quite a looker. He wore a dark gray suit and a white crisp shirt with a light blue tie. But unfortunately he did nothing for me. It only made me more resentful toward Mark.
“Good to finally meet you, Miss Weiss,” he greeted when he entered with a briefcase.
The word ‘finally’ implied he had been looking forward to this for a while but he had only contacted me a few days ago. I brushed it off and offered him something to drink. He accepted a glass of water. He removed his jacket and hung it over one of the chairs before he joined me on the sofa.
“I must admit I have no idea what this is all about,” I mentioned nervously, feeling the knot in my stomach.
“This is quite a sensitive matter,” he murmured with sympathetic eyes.
I was more confused by the minute. He opened his briefcaseand took out some documents. I saw something with the wording “last will and testament.” Was this about a will?
“If you tell me what is going on, I would really appreciate it,” I said, wanting him to hurry up and get to the point.
He laid the papers on the nearby coffee table before he turned to me.
“This might come as a bit of a shock so I want you to agree to hear me out before you say anything.”
I frowned but nodded in agreement. I would have pretty much agreed to anything as long as he got to the point. The wait was killing me. I bet the possibilities I had come up with were far worse than the real reason he was here.
“The reason I’ve contacted you is to do with your father’s will.”
“No, I’m sorry, my father isn’t dead.” I laughed it off. “You definitely have the wrong person. If you had told me this over the phone, I could have saved you a wasted trip.”
But he still looked as serious as when he had entered my apartment. He shook his head. “Your biological father passed away a couple of weeks ago.”
I blinked, trying to take in his words, but I couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. I stood up and backed away from him. Biological father? No. He had to have the wrong person.
“What are you talking about?” There was a distinct tremor in my voice despite my disbelief. My hands shook.
“I know this is a lot to take in but if you will just take a seat, I’ll explain everything.” He indicated a hand to the vacant seat beside him but I shook my head.
“I can hear fine from here.” My mind led me to my next incredible thought but I refused to say it out loud. It scared me too much. Had I been adopted?
“Miss Weiss,” he said my name and I abandoned my thoughts to concentrate on him.
“Tell me.” It came out as a whisper but I couldn’t pretend my world wasn’t shaking right down to the foundation.
“Your mother had an affair with my client and you were a result of that short-lived liaison.”
My mind zoned out when I heard the first part and I gasped, turning away from him. I began to pace, rubbing my forehead, trying to figure out how this guy’s story fit into my well-ordered life.
An affair? That was laughable. My parents were the happiest, most together couple I had ever met. There was no way that had happened.
“I don’t understand. If that happened, why…why?” I was at a loss. I sank down on a chair facing him.
His eyes softened. “Your mother’s husband and your mother patched up their marriage. Your real father decided it was best to give up all rights to you so you would be brought up along with your half-sibling.”
