Page 110 of Grand Love

“I had to know who it was. I had Vinny and Scott look into it, and I was confident that they would get me a name. There was no money trail to Jasmine, to the point that we started to think maybe the images were photoshopped. The club’s security footage confirmed that she was in fact real.” He swallows thickly then continues. “She turned up just over a month ago. She has two children in care and a baby who was living with her when we found her.”

Bile rises in my mouth and I close my eyes, unsure if I even want to hear what he has to say.

“The children’s father is an addict; he’s the reason the children are no longer in her care. I made her leave her apartment, she handed her baby over to the authorities, and I gave her a job.”

I grip Elliot’s hand tight, petrified of what he might say next.

“She doesn’t know who set me up, I’ll admit that was my intention at first.”

I feel my brows draw together. “Why help her then?”

“She has children. A baby the same age as Ellis. I offered her the security she needed from her ex—”

“So you offered her money… to get something you wanted, I presume? You thought you could get a name.” My voice shakes.

“No. I offered her a step, one that she could build on and eventually get her children back.” He puts his hands on his hips, licking his lips. “I wanted her to be better before I introduced her to you.”

“You think I’d want to meet her?” I look at Elliot, who sits with a grim look on his face.

“No, but I hoped that one day you’d accept the situation for what it is.”

“So help me God if you tell me you love her.”

His face drops along with his shoulders. He moves to sit on the opposite sofa, dropping his head in his hands. “You have no idea how much it kills me to hear you say that fucking bullshit!” He sits with his head hung, his shoulders hunched. “She’s your sister, Nina. She is your goddamn sister!”

I sit statue-still, the static air around me sending goose bumps scaling up my arms. “Sorry?”

“Your father had children after he had you,” Elliot tells me. “Jasmine is one of them.”

“She hasn’t had it easy, but she is working to get her life back on track. I thought—”

“I’m sorry.” I cover my mouth. “Please stop.”

“Nina,” Elliot pleads.

“What do you expect me to say? You’ve just told me I have a sister who last year was pictured with my boyfriend.”

“I don’t think—”

“I’m serious, sorry. I cannot do this right now. I need a minute.”

The room spins, and my body flushes hot then cold.

“I did this for you, Nina—”

“Don’t, Mason. Please.” I stand, taking in several deep breaths to calm myself down. He isn’t with her. He hasn’t been with her. Elliot’s words come back to me as I prepare to leave. “I’m not mad. But you need to let me leave. I heard you out, now you’ll let me leave.”

* * *

I don’t wantto cry, not in front of Mason and definitely not in front of her. My feet carry me to the elevator on autopilot, my mind still processing what he’s just told me.

Jasmine and George are nowhere to be seen and I’m thankful for the privacy that allows me.

A sister. Or a half sister, from the man I’m yet to meet. Does she know him? Do they go for dad and daughter lunches? Does he fix her car when it breaks down?

I never considered that he might have a family. It’s been twenty-nine years, of course he has a life and kids. Jasmine is one of them, Elliot had said.

A tear rolls down my cheek, and I couldn’t tell you why. I know my mind is still stuck on the initial shock of finding Jasmine in Mason’s bathroom—my hands still tremble as I reach out and call for the elevator, but it’s also the fact that I have a sister.

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