Page 57 of Finally Found You

“The moment you stepped into our home, I made Hudson promise that we would be your last foster parents,” she begins. “You were so quiet, so visibly frightened. I’m thankful that we were able to get you to come out of your shell. It didn’t take long to love you. But when we initiated the adoption process, your grandmother refused to just let you go. She was adamant that you’d be better with her—her family.”

“She did?” I ask, surprise evident in my voice.

Jade nods. “Yeah. It broke our hearts to let you go, but we were left with no choice. Instead of fighting with her, we assisted her, so you’d have everything. We helped her fix the house, secure a job, and ensure you had everything you needed.”

“So you did want me,” I mumble, trying to assimilate what she just told me.

It wasn’t that I didn’t cherish my time with my grandmother, but there were moments when I yearned for the life I experienced for three short years with the Dragos—attention, love, and understanding. When I moved here, I had to conform to Nonna’s rules. If I ever dared to defy her, she’d retaliate with her anger. The fleeting weekends I spent with the Dragos were the moments when I felt happier.

“Of course I wanted you,” she says. “In our hearts, you’re our child too, even if we couldn’t keep you. It broke both Hudson’s heart and mine, but we tried to remain in your life as much as we could. It became even more crucial when Elsie left Kenzy with your grandmother.”

And like I’ve been doing in the past few days, tears well up in my eyes. Life with Nonna wasn’t miserable, but the deep-seated yearning for a mother and a father always lingered. But Jade and Hudson were there, in their own unique way.

“You’re not alone,” Jade whispers, her arms wrapping around me in a hug that reminds me of childhood memories and bedtime stories. “We love you as much as we love all our other children. I tried to do what I thought was best for you, and I’m sorry if it wasn’t the right thing.”

But what is the right thing? To keep me away from my grandmother when I was all she had left until Kenzy came along, or… “I don’t think it matters anymore,” I mumble.

“But it does because you’re hurting, especially after Kenzy pushed you away,” she counters with gentleness.

“You heard about it?” I manage to ask.

She nods. “JJ told me what happened. So you fell in love with Lysander, huh?”

“I tried not to,” I confess, barely above a whisper.

Jade chuckles. “Love is unpredictable. Your mind doesn’t get to dictate who you fall for. It’s your heart and soul who decide if the person you’re with is worthy of your love.”

“When will I fall out of love?” I ask, not sure if I should’ve kept that to myself. I don’t want to forget him or the feelings he’s awakened in me.

“That’s something I can’t answer for you. Relationships are like humans—unique and complex.”

“Do you think Kenzy will forgive me?” I ask, my timbre almost trembling.

“Of course. She adores you,” Jade states, her hand giving mine a reassuring squeeze. “You two are like sisters, though you often mothered her.”

“Was that wrong?” I ask, insecurity clouding my voice.

She shakes her head. “No. It’s probably a good thing she had someone who loved her as much as you did growing up.”

“I doubt she’ll ever speak to me again,” I confess, the harsh truth echoing in the room.

Jade shrugs, a gentle smile playing on her lips. “People might surprise you, Cami. For now, let us take care of you. We’re going home, and we’ll come back to sort out this house when you’re ready.”

“But I am ready,” I say.

“No,” she counters gently. “Right now, you’re thinking it might be easier to clean everything out and just sell the house.”

“I can’t afford the mortgage,” I admit.

“The house is already paid in full. Claire is working her magic to ensure the deed is transferred under your name.”

“How?”

“I’d like to take credit, but actually, it was Lysander Spearman who took care of the bills and requested the deed change,” she reveals.

The news settles in me like a warm ember. Lysander is always there, always caring, even when not asked. How am I supposed to fall out of love with a man who consistently looks out for me without being prompted?

Reluctantly, I agree to leave everything as it is and stay a few days with her. She shares with me a list of counselors in the area who can help me, or a grief retreat up in the mountains. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I’ll probably choose one by the end of the day. My heart needs to heal and forget—and I just don’t know where to start.

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