Page 176 of Unravel Me

I glance at the screen.

The number is private.

Under normal circumstances, I might have felt that familiar needle of anxiety prick at me again, but it doesn’t happen. I’m learning to trust Silvio’s words, to believe that my life has finally been set on a safe path, so I calmly answer the call and raise the phone to my ear.

"Umm, am I speaking with Jared Ferguson?"

"If this is another special offer on a refrigerator, I’m going to have to pass."

"No, nothing like that. My name is Star Daniels."

A brief silence falls.

For a moment, I turn the name over in my mind, trying to process it, but my thoughts just seem to spin.

"I… I imagine this must seem strange, getting a call from me out of nowhere, but Storm Nolan told me about you, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it for the past two weeks. Every day, I wondered whether I should call you, but I never did. I just acted on impulse today."

I hear the uncertainty in his voice, the same nervousness I would probably feel if I were the one reaching out like this. I’ve learned by now that situations like this often come with rejection. No one wants to disrupt the life they’ve built, open their family to a stranger, or risk getting involved in a relationship with someone who could bring demons from a long-buried past back to the surface.

The voice on the phone continues, "Storm believes we’re half brothers, that we share the same father. If you don’t want me to continue, I’ll hang up, but I wanted to tell you that… I’m reaching out because I don’t have a family anymore. All my relatives are gone. A few months ago, I found my True Mate, and he encouraged me to contact you. But if this isn’t a good time—"

"It is," I blurt out unexpectedly, and a warm flutter stirs in my throat.

There’s a moment of silence on the other end. I hear the quiet exhale of the stranger, as if he’s just breathed a sigh of relief.

"You know, Storm told me that our father turned you away from his door. I can’t stop thinking about it. For years, I thought I was alone, but it seems I actually had a brother, and I just… I had to call and find out who you are."

Sudden pain shoots through my heart, so sharp that it almost takes my breath away, and then, right away, something inside me seems to loosen, filling me with an overwhelming sense of peace. I don’t even know why I feel this sudden lightness, this deep surrender, but it fills me completely.

"Thank you for calling, Star," I whisper. "It means a lot to me. I’ve faced rejection so many times, but this is the first time someone has actually made the first move like this, wanting me in his life. Just like you, I spent years without a family. Funny enough, I also found my True Mate recently, thanks to Storm, and my whole life seems to be changing. And now you’re calling me… Maybe Fate really is opening a new chapter for both of us."

There’s another moment of silence on the phone. I hear his breathing quicken.

Then I add, "You know, if you’re ever in North Carolina, maybe you’d like to come visit me?" My voice comes out slightly strained, as though the invitation is almost too bold to make.

But my half-brother lets out a quiet laugh, and once again, I hear that note of relief in his voice.

"Yes! Absolutely! If that’s an invitation, I’d love to take you up on it."

I grin, even though he can’t see me.

"Of course it’s an invitation. Come whenever you want, and bring your True Mate with you."

He laughs softly.

"I promise I will. See you around, Jared."

"See you around, Star."

I lift my gaze. Mauro is still standing on the steps with Tommy in his arms, waiting for me to finish the call.

How incredible. A thaw is really coming into my life, new currents swirling around me, carrying me toward uncharted, open waters, full of promise and endless possibilities. I can’t wait to see what they bring me. This is going to be an adventure!

Mauro heads toward me, while Tommy waves at me with his chubby little hand.

I smile at them.

Two faces smile back at me.