Page 27 of Broken Destiny

My head began to throb as I tried to process everything she was saying. The sudden flood of information blurred my thoughts, leaving me disoriented.

“I hired Dominic Peters,” she continued. “He used to be a private investigator. He informed me about your husband’s passing.” Her expression softened, her tone soothing. “I was worried about you. That’s the only reason I asked him to keep an eye on you.”

Her chin quivered as she stared down at the floor, her posture collapsing inward.

I sensed genuine remorse. The woman standing in front of me was telling her truth. Yes, she had acted irrationally by having me followed. Her actions were wrong, but I could finally understand the fear and confusion that had driven them.

My biological mother had come to terms with her feelings about me. Wasn’t this what I had wanted for so many years? A mother who acknowledged me… a mother who chose me.

My limbs trembled as conflicting emotions swirled inside me.

She wanted to build a relationship. Therapy had forced her to confront her guilt, and at last she had taken responsibility. She was standing in front of me, asking for another chance.

Anger still remained, but understanding slowly pushed its way forward.

Time had changed both of us.

I had made mistakes in my own life—decisions that caused pain to others—and I had been forgiven. The memory of Cole surfaced in my mind, reminding me that people sometimes make terrible choices out of fear, not cruelty.

Then, the choice had been hers.

Now, the choice was mine.

Was I ready to open my heart to the woman standing in my living room? Was I ready to call her my mother?

“I am truly sorry, Jiya,” she said, her voice cracking as she stepped back toward the door. “I understand if you don’t want a relationship with me anymore. I will accept your decision and walk away. But can you please try to forgive me? Can we build something together?”

Just because she had made a mistake in the past, did that mean she had to be punished for the rest of her life? She had come to make amends. She had come seeking a second chance.

I had searched for her for years, chasing leads through agencies and dead ends, until I had nearly given up. Then, last year, I finally found her.

At the time, she didn’t want a relationship, but now she did.

After longing for her for so long, she had finally returned.

Karena turned the doorknob slowly, breaking through my thoughts. “I guess the answer is no.”

An ache spread through my chest as I watched her prepare to leave—a longing to meet and know her since childhood, buried beneath years of disappointment and unanswered questions.

Before she could step outside, the words left my mouth before I could stop them. “Karena…”

She froze and turned to look at me.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. “Would you like to meet the children?”

8

CALEB

Icouldn’t help but enjoy myself with everything Greg had planned. My best friend had gone all out, inviting Simon, my brother, along with Bruce and Connor, my brothers-in-law, and a few close friends who had known me since my reckless university days.

The first part of the surprise managed to distract me from the upcoming wedding, which still sat in my stomach like a stubborn knot.

We had flown down on a charter flight from Vancouver to Victoria, and from there, the boys and I explored the islands scattered between the mainland and the open ocean. We spent our days hiking along forest trails, camping under wide stretches of sky, lounging on sandy beaches, and playing whatever sport someone suggested at the time. The rhythm of the trip felt carefree and wild, the kind of freedom I hadn’t experienced in years.

“So,” Greg said one afternoon, unfolding a map and marking another bold X inside a circle. “Tomorrow, we hit Denman Island.”

I raised my eyebrows as I took a sip of my beer, watching him. “How many islands have you planned? We’ve already hit three—Cortes, Pender, andSalt Spring.”