Page 11 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

She looked shocked when I wrapped my arms around her, but she quickly returned it, hugging me tight. I pulled back, smiling wide as I looked her over.

“I wanted to tell you soooo bad last year.”

“Wait…you knew who I was,” Ren asked.

I nodded. “We were under strict orders not to reach out for your safety. It was killing me to see you at school all the time and not say a word. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” I begged, holding her hands.

Before she could answer, Hailey and Holly nudged Ren’s hands looking for attention.

“Well, hello there,” she said, with a smile.

“She likes you. That’s Hailey with the ruby collar, and Holly has the amethyst collar,” Titus said, introducing his dogs.

Ren looked up, and her mouth fell open as she stared at my brother. He always got that response. He was the definition of a walking mountain.

“I’m your cousin Titus,” he said, offering Ren his hand.

I was genuinely shocked that Titus and Nathaniel came after everything Father had done to them. What was between them and Father wasn’t simply a crack. It was a rupture, one that I didn’t see our family repairing easily.

Nathaniel stepped up next, practically pushing both Titus and me out of the way.

“You look so much like your mother. It’s crazy. I’m Nathaniel,” he said, hauling Ren in for a hug. “I loved your mom.”

He pulled back and placed his hands on her shoulders. It was rare to see this kind of emotion from Nathaniel.

“Last time I saw her was so long ago now,” Nathaniel said.

I was too young to remember my cousin Yuliana or Christov, the despised husband she had been forced to marry.

“She had a way of making everyone feel special and seen. I’ll always remember her,” Nathaniel said with a smile.

Ren’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you,” she said.

The emotion was so thick it choked me up.

“Get out of the way. It’s my turn,” Mom said, and the boys stepped aside. “Oh, Sweetie, Nathaniel is right, you look just like Yuliana, so beautiful. I’m your great-aunt Helena,” she said, pulling Ren in for another hug.

At this rate, Ren was going to be all hugged out.

“Hi.” Ren smiled, looking a little overwhelmed from all the attention.

I looked over at the guys who had come with her and cocked an eyebrow at the sight of Nash Collier. I hadn’t expected that. Myles and Blake, sure, but Liam, Theo, and Nash…they were either new additions since the last time I’d seen my cousin, or they were just here to snoop and get a free meal.

“Oh, no, please don’t cry,” Mom said, cupping Ren’s cheeks.

“Eek!” Fiona exclaimed as she barreled down the stairs like a train.

She’d held back for us, but apparently, she couldn’t wait any longer. Mom stepped out of the way just in time as Fiona grabbed Ren and rocked her from side to side.

“I never thought I was going to see you again. How are you,” Ren asked.

“Aye, same. God, I’ve missed ya. Everyone has been grand, but our talks kept me smilin’. I’ve been so cut off,” Fiona said.

My brow furrowed when I heard that Fiona felt that way. I didn’t know what I would have done if I had to go on the run and cut myself off from everything I knew and loved.

“How are your parents,” Ren asked.

Fiona lifted a shoulder and let it drop.