Page 217 of Fame & Rhythm

… is my Mum.

The one holding my hand like I might disappear.

The one who never left.

I lift my free hand and awkwardly pat Loretta’s back, trying to give something back, even if it’s small.

She pulls away, mascara smudged, hands still gripping my shoulders. “I’m so proud of you, my daughter,” she says.

I manage a small smile.

But inside…

I’m still not sure what I’m supposed to feel.

“Thanks, Loretta.”

“Call me Mum… if you want to.”

I stiffen instantly.

Beside me, Mum almost chokes on air.

“I think she can stick to Loretta for now,” Mum says through gritted teeth.

And for once, I’m grateful for her reaction. Because if there’s one thing Loretta is not, it’s my mum. She might be my birth mother, but that does not give her the right to that title.

I already have a mum.

And that’s not going to change.

“Of course,” Loretta says quickly, though her smile tightens slightly. “Whatever you’re comfortable with, Annie.”

She still looks like she’s on top of the world.

“How about you come back to the manor for some afternoon tea?” Dad suggests. “We can all talk a bit more there.”

I shift closer to Mum, and her grip on my hand loosens just a fraction.

“That sounds lovely,” Loretta replies. “I’d really like to get to know you all better.”

I nod slowly.

“All right, we’ll see you back there,” Dad says, already turning toward the car.

I follow, but… “Annie!” I glance back over my shoulder. “Thank you,” Loretta says, her voice softer now. “For giving me a chance.”

I give her a small smile, then turn away and keep walking.

Aston catches up to me just as I reach the car. Before I can open the door, he pulls me into a tight hug. “I’m proud of you, Lennox,” he murmurs. “I know that wasn’t easy. You didn’t want to hug her, but you did it anyway.”

“Thanks,” I say quietly, resting my forehead against his chest. “I just… feel weird. Like I should be feeling more than this. I’ve waited my whole life for this moment, and now it’s here… I feel nothing. Just numb.”

“What you’re feeling is normal,” he says gently. “There’s no rulebook for this. No right way to react. And let’s be honest, Loretta is… a lot. Maybe you need time to get to know her before you let yourself feel anything more.”

I nod slowly.

He’s right.