Shaking my head, I whispered, voice quivering, “No. I need to know.” My hands trembled in my lap, heart pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.
Massimo looked at Sinclair, who slowly rose from his seat and kneeled before me. He took my hands, his grip steady and grounding. “Miranda, I won’t lie to you, so please be sure you want to know this answer, because I fear it will only cause you more pain.”
Tears streamed down my face, blurring the room into hazy shapes. “I need to know. Please tell me.” My throat tightened, breath shallow, but I forced myself to meet his gaze.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Sinclair nodded. “From what I learned, your birth mother paid handsomely for one night with me. She and her husband were unable to have children. She contacted Jane Craven. How they knew each other is a mystery. As far as I know, Mr. Morgan never knew his wife was pregnant with twins, and when she finally gave birth, your birth mother willingly handed you over to Jane Craven. The handover was quick—almost clinical—meant to avoid suspicion or scandal.”
“She gave me away?” A cold numbness spread through my chest, making it hard to breathe as the reality settled in. Massimo wrapped his arms around me, holding on tight as if he could anchor me against the ache inside.
“Sinclair, enough. She doesn’t need to hear any more.”
Ignoring Massimo’s plea, Sinclair pressed on, his determination unwavering. “When I left the Trick Pony and learned the truth, I never stopped searching for your brother. If I had known about your existence back then, I would have done everything in my power to rescue you from that place. It remains one of my deepest regrets that I was unable to protect you when you needed me the most.”
A heavy silence descended upon the room, each of us lost in thought and overwhelmed by the revelations. My perception of the past shifted, the foundations of my understanding shaken. Despite the ache in my chest, a strange sense of clarity emerged—a painful truth had come to light, but it was a truth, nonetheless.
I looked at Sinclair, my voice barely above a whisper. “You wanted me?”
A gentle smile spread across my father’s face as he wiped away my tears. “Contrary to what most may believe, I am not the monster people make me out to be. Discovering I am the father of a strong, beautiful daughter is the greatest gift I could ever receive. So yes, my sweet daughter, I want you.”
Epilogue
A few months later...
“Stop pouting,” I snapped at Massimo, shooting him a glare as he sulked beside me in the back seat of the SUV. He’d been edgy and irritable all morning, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. I couldn’t handle it today—this was important to me, and I needed him to understand that. “You could have stayed home, you know. I told you I’d be fine on my own.”
“She did say that, brother,” Luca chimed in from the front seat as Milo steered us through the estate gates, a teasing grin on his face.
Massimo just grunted, jaw clenched, eyes flicking anxiously toward the looming mansion.
“If you’re going to act like this, stay in the car,” I said, unbuckling as we pulled to a stop. “I won’t let you ruin this for me—my first meeting with him matters too much.”
But Massimo’s voice was low, tight with concern. “It’s not your brother I’m worried about,” he muttered, glancing warily at the mansion. “There’s more at stake here than you realize.” He yanked off his seat belt, slammed the door, and strode out.
With a weary sigh, I leaned back against the headrest and closed my eyes. My heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and dread, each thud echoing the uncertainty of what waited inside. “God, please give me the strength not to strangle the father of my child today.”
Luca and Milo’s laughter broke through my nerves, making me open my eyes to see their wide grins as Massimo—stiff and silent—opened my door, his hand extended to help me out.
Stepping out of the SUV, shouts from inside the house spilled through the morning air. I glanced at the imposing mansion, then leaned into Massimo and whispered, “I’ve changed my mind. You can stay.”
“Looks like we’re last to arrive,” Luca remarked, strolling over. “Ready for this, sis?”
A crash inside snapped all our attention to the doorway, and I instinctively edged closer to Massimo as a burly biker wearing a Silver Shadows’ cut stormed out, bellowing, “Fuck this shit!”
Seconds later, a striking woman with braided hair dashed after him. “Gunner, wait!” she called as the biker swung onto his motorcycle and revved the engine. “You can’t just leave!”
“I can’t deal with him,” he growled, tearing out of the estate and leaving tire marks in the manicured lawn.
“Well, shit,” the woman muttered, her hands planted firmly on her hips as she watched the biker’s dramatic departure with clear exasperation. After a moment, she turned to head back inside the house but paused when she noticed our group observing her. With a purposeful stride, she approached us and greeted with a friendly smile. “You must be Tank’s sister, Miranda. I’d know you anywhere. I’m Haizley. I belong to that cranky ogre who just sped off.”
I nodded, my attention drifting past Haizley toward the imposing house in the background as I quietly asked, “Is everything okay?”
Haizley offered a reassuring smile, her tone warm and light. “Oh, just a typical Tuesday,” she replied. “But don’t you worry about anything. Tank has been anxiously waiting to meet you.”
Luca stepped forward with his usual charm, smiling down at the lovely woman. He gently took her hand and kissed the backof it, a gesture full of playful confidence. “If you ever want to trade up, I would like to offer my services. I’m Luca Vitale.”
An awkward silence lingered for a heartbeat before Haizley’s lips curled into a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Thank you for the offer, but I think I’ll hang on to my cranky ogre for a bit longer,” she teased, her good-natured tone making it clear she was unfazed.
Milo snorted, elbowing Luca. “You’re batting zero today, boss.”
