Page 195 of Fame & Rhythm

His arms tighten around me as he presses a kiss to my head. “Do you know for sure she’s your mother?”

“No. But we have the same eyes. Hers are duller, older… but they’re the same green. Same shape. I saw myself in her, Aston. It was terrifying.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“A DNA test, I guess. She’s going to organize it, and then… we go from there.”

“Wow. I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling.”

“I don’t even know myself. I’m scared, angry, hurt, excited, nervous, frustrated. How can all of that exist at once?”

“It can, baby. Trust me. What did your mum say?”

My throat tightens again at the thought of her. “She wasn’t happy. She was with me when Loretta showed up. She handled it really well… but I don’t think she’s okay now.”

“Well, just know I’m here. Whatever you need, I’ve got you.”

“I don’t know how I’d cope without you.”

“Same goes for me, baby,” he murmurs before leaning in and kissing me softly.

***

Aston and I stayed in my room for the rest of the night. I wasn’t hungry, but Mum brought up a box of pizza anyway, and Aston ended up eating most of it. He tried to get me to have some, but I just couldn’t stomach anything.

The next day, Dad took us all to see a lawyer to explore our options. He explained that without a DNA test, we couldn’t prove anything, and that it was the best course of action for us right now. He was also very clear that I needed to take my time getting to know Loretta Banks and not get my hopes up, because she was more than likely someone trying to extort money by playing with my emotions.

But when we got home, a letter was waiting for me.

It was from Loretta.

Inside, it stated that an appointment had already been set up at Oxfordshire Hospital for the next morning at ten-thirty for a DNA test.

And that’s where we’re heading now.

The car is packed, Mum and Dad in the front, while Ella, Aston, and I sit in the back. Ella hasn’t said much since she found out yesterday, and the silence around her feels heavier than anything else in the car. Everything is happening so fast, I haven’t had time to sit down and figure out how I actually feel about any of it.

If she is my real mum… do I even want anything to do with her?

She walked away from me.

So why shouldn’t I do the same?

The thoughts won’t stop circling, one crashing into the next, until Aston’s hand tightens around mine, grounding me. I glance up at him, and he mouths, ‘You okay?’ I nod, forcing a small smile before leaning in to kiss him quickly.

The car rolls to a stop outside the hospital, and we all climb out.

“Good luck,” Ella says quietly, before drifting over to stand beside Dad.

I watch her go.

I think she’s avoiding me.

“C’mon, Annie, let’s get this over with,” Mum says, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

I grab Aston’s hand, and the three of us walk toward the entrance together. The closer we get, the worse it becomes. Each step feels heavier than the last, my nerves tightening until my heart is thudding so loudly I can hear it in my ears. Heat floods my body, my skin prickling as sweat gathers at the back of my neck, and I’m almost certain my hands are shaking.

Then we turn the corner.