Amaury speaks. “We called every single day. Begging him to send you to live with one of us. The entire town would have raised you as their own if necessary, but we needed you returned to your family. Your real family. Because we knew that the man who fathered you was never a part of your life, and now he held all the power with legal guardianship. The sick man never allowed us to speak on the phone or send letters. And when we threatened to fly over there ourselves, having scrounged up enough money for Carla to represent all of us, he told us that he’d already shipped you guys off to a different country. And reminded us that you were minors, and if we kept calling, he’d involve his attorneys and force legal action.” He looks down, almost as if he’s beating himself up. “You have to understand, we didn’t have much money back then. Still don’t. I was working on visas for my family to enter the US for better job opportunities. And this man was powerful. I knew I could not face off with him and win. And none of us were a sibling, aunt, or grandparent, so we were forced to… give up. I’m so sorry. I should have fought harder. It is a regret I live with every day of my life.”
Carla grabs my hand and Nick’s, eyes fierce. “My best friend died, but I mourned all three of you. Knowing I never got to meet you in person and protect you from the man who was so manipulative and careless with your mother’s heart. And there hasn’t been a single day that I haven’t thought about you two and wished things could be different. I know I, we, can’t change the past, but we’d all like to be a part of your lives now, if you’ll allow it.” She visibly holds her breath.
Nick and I look at one another. Gone is the self-assured CEO, and in his place is a sad and shattered eleven-year-old boy.
We were loved. We were wanted.
But we were exiled by our father.
A wave of sadness threatens to pull me under, but then a comforting hand curves around the back of my neck, the touch so uniquely Luke’s. I see Luisa move and take a seat on Nick’s lap, embracing him as his shoulders start to shake with furious tears.
But I remain perfectly calm, refusing to shed another tear.
Stock-still as all the pieces start to fall into place.
The parent I tried so desperately to placate and feel love from was the person responsible for causing pain in so many lives.
I spent years innocently breaking myself down to perfectly moldable little pieces that would be more appealing to him, and for what? Even if the man possessed a heart with the capability to show love for his children, it was never going to be enough.
I was never going to be enough.
But it wasn’t because I’m unlovable. He just isn’t capable of loving anyone but himself. And I truly think he sees absolutely nothing wrong with that.
And knowing this, I have zero doubts that he conspired with Damien behind my back, trading my submission, the kind I had given him my entire life, and used it as some form of sick political currency for his company’s monetary gain.
I stand as I address the entire room. “We had no idea, and I’m sickened by the fact that we’ve lost all this time with one another, but we would love nothing more than to have you all join our little family from here on out. If you’ll still have us.”
Everyone stands in a rush, and hugs and kisses are exchanged.
When Valentina stands before me, I don’t hesitate to pull her in for a tight hug. “Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you,thank you. You have no idea how much this means to Nick and me.”
She wipes a tear as she chuckles. “By the way I’ve been secretly crying in the kitchen between food and drink refills. I’m pretty sure I got the gist of it.”
I turn in search of Luke and find him releasing Nick from a hug. I take a step in their direction, catching the tail end of Nick’s side of the conversation. “…and I swear to God, if you don’t marry my sister after all of this, I’m calling that guy I know, and you’ll be—”
I raise my brow at them, and they shamelessly shrug it off like it’s no big deal.
I know I initially beat myself up for feeling as though I was falling for Luke far too quickly, being used to caring about public perception and appropriate timelines. But if he were to get down on one knee right now, I’d pull him back up and wake a judge and demand they marry us right this very second.
His eyes narrow, as if he’s reading my mind, and now it’s my turn to shrug.
“Thank you all for the hospitality, but it’s late. We’re all going to head out and let you digest everything you’ve heard tonight,” Monica states as she lifts her purse over her shoulder.
“There is a private car outside that will take you back to your hotel. You will have the suites for a week. Longer if you wish to extend your trip. Just say the word,” Luke offers.
They all nod appreciatively, and I smile widely, knowing that they’ll be in town longer to spend time with us. I can mentally see Nick clearing his work schedule as Carla pulls him in for a goodbye hug. “Dios mío, Nicholas. You were Carmen’s pride and joy. Her little man. She would be so insanely proud of you, I know it.” She pats his cheek and then moves on to me. “And Daisy, her baby girl. She dreamed of you for years, thinking she would never have another child, secretly wishing for a baby girl,and then you came along, making her final dream come true.” She kisses my cheek before she takes a step back. “If she saw you two working together…” She shakes her head. “Her legacy is alive and well in you both.” Her eyes stay on me a moment longer before she chuckles. “I still can’t believe she named you Daisy.”
Luke comes to stand behind me, wrapping me in his warm arms, pulling me closer to his chest.
“Why is that?” I ask, looking around to see everyone giggling amongst themselves.
All my life I’ve assumed it was her favorite flower.
“I grew up hearing this story so many times.” Carla smiles. “Your grandparents were next door neighbors growing up, and your grandfather fell in love with your grandmother when they were still in diapers. When they were teenagers, he asked her parents for permission to date her.”
“And they said no, because they were too young,” Marlene cuts in.
“But your grandfather was undeterred. He said he would win your grandmother’s heart and prove to her parents that his love was true.” Carla pauses.
