Page 47 of Slayer

Celia let out an excited whoop as Kitty gasped behind me.

Wait, what did he mean?

That he didn’t know who my father was, but Molly was my mom?

I had a mom.

A mom who was best friends with Celia and who had probably loved me and was now dead.

Tears filled my eyes, and I couldn’t hold them back. I blinked and they spilled out onto my cheeks.

Celia gave me a side hug, pulling me into her, and I had to fight the urge to sob, my shoulders shaking.

The judge nodded. “Thank you for that testimony, Dr. Carter. You may be seated.”

Dr. Carter took his seat as I fought for control of my tears, wiping frantically at my eyes.

I wasn’t a crier.

What was happening to me?

“Stella.” The judge peered at me.

I cleared my throat, drying my cheeks. “Yes, sir.”

“I would like to invite you into my private office so that I can read you Molly’s last will and testament.”

I nodded, standing.

Celia cocked her head to the side in confusion. “I thought Molly didn’t have a will. Robert had a trust set up and⁠—”

“This is a private matter between Miss Sinclair and I,” the judge said, cutting her off.

That was weird.

Celia bristled but nodded, urging me to walk forward to where the judge was seated.

Miss Sinclair.

Not Adams.

Not some made-up name the government gave me.

Sinclair was my last name.

A family name.

I had a family.

My heart burst open in that moment. I couldn’t explain what it felt like to finally know my last name. My mother’s name.

Molly. I was simultaneously overjoyed to know of her and grieved to know I would never meet her.

I headed for the judge’s desk as he stood and heard footfalls behind me.

Peering over my shoulder, I noticed Kitty following me.

As she passed Celia, the dark-skinned beauty snaked her hand out and grasped Kitty’s wrist, staying her.