Chapter 8 - THE MEETING THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Mara Collins arrived at the attorney's office carrying a small handbag and a folder.
She looked nervous.
Tessa stood when she entered.
Gabriel remained near the window.
Mara looked between them.
“Which one of you contacted me?”
Tessa stepped forward.
“We both did.”
Mara nodded.
“I've known I was adopted since I was six.”
She sat.
“But I was told my biological parents died.”
Gabriel's jaw tightened.
Tessa placed the photograph on the table.
Mara stared.
Her fingers trembled.
“That's me.”
Tessa nodded.
“Her name was Lucia.”
Mara touched the photograph.
“My mother used to call me Lucy when I was little.”
Gabriel looked away.
For the first time, the mystery had a face.
A life.
A family.
Mara looked at him.
“Who are you?”
Gabriel took a breath.
“My name is Gabriel Rossi.”
She went still.
“I've heard that name.”
He nodded.
“I'm not going to pretend my family has a clean history.”
Mara studied him.
“What are you to me?”
Gabriel swallowed.
“If the records are correct, I'm your cousin.”
Mara stared.
Then whispered:
“Does that mean I have family in Sicily?”
Tessa smiled gently.
“Yes.”
May you like
Mara began crying.
And in that quiet office, a little girl who had disappeared from Palermo finally began finding her way home.
