Page 192 of Fame & Rhythm

“I just want to get to know my baby,” she says.

Tears fall freely now as I cling to Mum, overwhelmed by everything crashing together inside me.

“We’ll arrange DNA testing,” Mum says firmly. “Until then, you need to leave. You’re scaring her.”

For a moment, it feels like she might argue.

Instead, Loretta nods slowly. “I’ll organize it,” she says. “But I know she’s mine. I can feel it.” Then she turns and walks back to her car.

Mum shuts the door hard before turning and pulling me into a tight embrace. I cry into her shoulder while she holds me so firmly it almost hurts.

“Are you okay?” she asks softly.

I nod against her, even though it feels like everything I’ve ever wanted… and everything I’ve ever feared has just collided right in front of me.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Annie

Mum wakes Dad, and we all head into the kitchen to sit down and talk about the freak show that just happened outside our home.

“Jesus Christ, I can’t believe I slept through all of that. Are you both okay?” Dad asks, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into his side.

“I’m okay now. It was just a bit of a shock. She was so… so…” I trail off, unable to find the word.

“Disappointing, I think is what you’re looking for, sweetheart,” Mum says.

I nod because she’s exactly right. Seeing someone like Loretta and realizing I might have come from her makes my skin crawl. I’m not a nasty person, and I don’t judge people for where they come from, but the thought that I might have that in me…

It’s unsettling.

Then again, it explains some things.

“Yeah, she was nothing like I expected,” I say, leaning into Dad as he holds me tighter.

“I’m just sorry I wasn’t here for you, Annie,” he says.

“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

“So Annie, what would you like me to do from here?” Mum asks.

I shrug, completely lost. I never thought this day would come, so I have no idea how I’m supposed to feel. “I’m not sure. I mean, if she is my real Mum—”

“Biological mother, sweetheart. I’m your real Mum,” she interrupts softly.

I smile at her, guilt tugging at my chest.

Goddammit! I know Mum hates this.

“Sorry… yeah, my birth mother. If she really is, then I want to get to know her. I have so many questions. Who’s my Dad? Why didn’t he come? How did she find me? Why did she give me up? I just… I need answers.”

Mum nods while Dad exhales slowly. “Annie, if you want to ask those questions, you have every right to. But don’t bombard her. The answers might not be what you’re hoping for, honey. You need to be ready for that,” Dad says.

I nod, rubbing my face as I try to figure out what the hell to do next. “So what now? She didn’t leave a number or anything?”

Mum scoffs. “Don’t worry, she’ll be in touch again. We just have to wait for her to make the next move. You also need to remember you’re famous. People take advantage of that. It’s public knowledge you’re adopted, so she could be some money-hungry woman trying to get her hands on your fortune. Just be careful.”

Geez, I hadn’t even considered that. I’ve spent my whole life wondering about my birth parents, so when one is suddenly standing in front of me, I want to believe it’s real. I want answers so badly I ignore the damn warning signs. “Yeah… didn’t think of that. I’ve just always wondered who they are. Now one of them is right in front of me… I guess I want it to be true.”