Page 74 of Rampage

The world tilts beneath me, the diner suddenly too bright, too loud. "Are you saying my parents might be alive?"

"Your mother passed away when you were eleven, that part was true. But you have an aunt, Lily. Your mother's sister. She's been looking for you for years."

A strange buzzing fills my ears, making Tiffany's next words sound distant, underwater. Family. The concept feels foreign, almost mythical after so many years of believing I was alone in the world.

"Her name is Eleanor Chambers," Tiffany continues, placing a folder on the counter. "She lives in Seattle. When your mother died, she tried to get custody of you, but the system already had you, and Frank's connections made sure her petitions were denied. She never stopped looking."

I stare at the folder, afraid to open it, afraid of the hope blooming painfully in my chest. "Does she know about me? About what happened?"

"She knows you've been found. She knows you're safe. The details…" Tiffany shakes her head. "That's for you to share, if and when you're ready."

My hands tremble as I finally open the folder. Inside is a photograph—a woman in her fifties with kind eyes and a warm smile. I search her features for any resemblance to my own and find it in the curve of her smile, the shape of her eyes. There's something achingly familiar about her, as if I've known her all along.

"She wants to meet you," Tiffany adds softly. "But she understands if you need time."

An aunt. Family. Someone who's been searching for me, who wanted me when no one else did. The realization is overwhelming, like discovering a piece of myself I never knew was missing.

"Can I…" My voice breaks, and I clear my throat. "Can I call her?"

Tiffany smiles, sliding a slip of paper across the counter. "Her number. She's expecting to hear from you, but there's no pressure. Whenever you're ready."

I fold the paper carefully, tucking it into my pocket alongside Dr. Levine's card. Two possibilities, two paths forward—healing and connection. The weight of them is both terrifying and exhilarating.

"Thank you," I whisper, emotion making my voice thick.

Tiffany nods, finishing her coffee and standing to leave. "You're doing remarkably well, Lily. Better than anyone could expect after what you've been through." Her professional demeanor softens slightly. "Reid is good for you."

Heat rises to my cheeks again. "Yes. He is."

After Tiffany leaves, I move through the rest of my shift in a daze, my mind spinning with possibilities. An aunt who's been searching for me. A family connection I never knew existed. The idea is so foreign, so unexpected, that I can barely process it.

When my shift ends, I step outside to find Reid waiting, leaning against his motorcycle with his arms crossed. My heart does a little flip at the sight of him—strong, steady, mine.

"How was your first day back?" he asks, pulling me into his arms.

"Eventful," I reply, relaxing into his embrace. "Tiffany came by. I have a lot to tell you."

Reid's expression turns serious. "Good news or bad?"

"Good, I think. Just… overwhelming." I look up at him, still amazed that this man chose me, fights for me, wants me. "Can we go home? I need to process some things."

"Home," he repeats, the word sounding right in a way I've never experienced before. "Yeah, let's go home."

I climb onto the motorcycle behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my cheek against his back, sighing at the way it makes me feel.

The idea of family—real family—burns in my mind as Reid and I settle on the couch after dinner. I've told him everything Tiffany shared: Frank's network crumbling, the expanding case, the trauma specialist, and most importantly, the aunt I never knew existed.

"I think I should call her," I say suddenly, pulling the folded paper from my pocket. "Tonight. Before I lose my nerve."

Reid studies my face, his expression soft with understanding. "Are you sure you're ready?"

"No," I admit with a shaky laugh. "But I don't think I'll ever feel completely ready for this. She's been looking for me for years, Reid. While I thought I was alone in the world, someone was actually searching for me."

He takes my hand, squeezing gently. "Do you want privacy, or would you like me to stay?"

"Stay," I say without hesitation. "Please."

With trembling fingers, I dial the number. Each ring echoes in my chest like a drumbeat until a warm, slightly breathless voice answers.

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