Page 49 of Finally Found You

I blink my eyes a couple of times. “What do you want from me? I don’t need anyone to drive me or open my door or be around,” I snap, quivering as emotion wells up inside. “All I want is to be alone and cry because it’s been a hard year. Too fucking hard.”

And just like that, I start to unravel in the middle of the airport. “I knew I shouldn’t have kissed him, but I broke the golden rule because he makes things better, you know? He fills that emptiness I’ve always felt.” I sniffle, wiping the tears with the back of my hand. “But then she saw us. The one person I love the most and promised to protect since she was born. I would never take her happiness away. I would die before I hurt her, and now…”

Jason hands me a tissue, his eyes filled with empathy. “Here, this might help.”

“Sorry, I usually don’t cry in front of strangers. I hate crying.” My lips tremble as the sobs threaten to return. “Nonna used to say it’s for weak people—we Balsamos aren’t weak. Crying is a sign of weakness and failure.”

“Actually, crying is a sign of strength,” he counters, tender and soothing. “If you hold back the tears, you’re not letting your heart grieve. When you let yourself cry, you’re facing your pain.”

He hands me yet another tissue, his eyes warm and understanding. “Tears sometimes wash away the sorrows and let you see things with clarity.”

My breath hitches, the weight of my unspoken anguish heavy on my chest. “I didn’t want her to die,” I admit, my voice quivering with pain. “But Nonna got sick and the doctors couldn’t do much. I tried everything,” I continue sobbing. “Second, third, and even fourth opinions, but in less than two months, Nonna was gone, leaving me in charge of my cousin. I tried. I tried so hard to keep everything afloat… but in the end I lost everything.”

“Not all is lost,” he says. “I’m sorry about your grandmother. Everything else can be fixed, though. You’ll see.”

“But it can’t,” I argue, despair creeping in.

“Why don’t I take you home? Tomorrow, everything will look different, I promise.”

“You’re a stranger,” I counter, hesitation evident in my tone.

He offers a warm, reassuring smile. “We’re practically cousins. The moment you get close to the Spearmans, they assimilate you and… well, you’re one of us. I’m sure my wife and children will be happy to meet you. Plus, you can tell us all about Kenzy.”

Even though I want to argue with him, something deep inside urges me to accept his kindness. Maybe being alone tonight isn’t such a good idea after all. I cling to the fragile hope that tomorrow things will look a lot better, and with a tentative nod, I decide to take a chance on being with a strange family for the night.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lysander

Jason: She’s safe and staying with us for the night.

Lysander: Thank you for today.

Jason: That’s what we’re here for, saving demoiselles YOU distress, fixing broken homes, and financial advice too.

Lysander: Eileen is right. You’re not funny.

Jason: My wife is always right, except for that. So… how are you going to fix your latest fuckup?

Lysander: I have no idea, and though I want to stick around and chat, I’m with my brothers. Talk soon.

Jason: Say hi to everyone.

“She’s with Jason.” Relief floods through me even though it hurts that she left, and I might never see her again.

I hate that she had to leave because I couldn’t control myself. The image of her broken soul and shattered heart haunts me whenever I close my eyes.

Aslan’s words slice through my thoughts, sharp and biting. “I told you to keep it in your pants.”

I glare at him, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “We just kissed,” I snap defensively.

“In front of your daughter,” he adds, as if saying, “It’s all the same. You fucked up.”

“Who knew she was going to come upstairs?”I shoot back, my tone laced with irritation, but after the words leave my mouth, I realize it doesn’t matter. I should’ve kept my lips to myself.

Aslan raises an eyebrow, a knowing glint in his eyes. “The elevator always chimes when someone arrives,” he reminds me.

I run a hand through my hair, exasperated. “Yeah, but I’m pretty sure Kenzy came through the stairs because I didn’t hear the elevator,” I respond before adding, “That’s not important, though. I lost Camilla and almost shattered my relationship with Kenzy. From this point forward, I have to concentrate on my child and our family issues.”

---