Page 215 of Fame & Rhythm

I roll my eyes.

Of course.

I don’t read that stuff. It’s always twisted, exaggerated, or completely made up. And the photographs are never flattering.

Ella drops into the seat beside Aston and shows him the spread.

He shakes his head. “Why do you even read that trash?” he asks.

“So I can tease Annie about it later,” she says with a giggle.

I scowl at her.

Little bitch.

Despite everything, I let out a small laugh because it’s exactly the distraction I need.

“Slade,” the receptionist calls.

Everything inside me tightens instantly.

Aston takes my hand, and the nerves come rushing back, stronger than before. I stand with everyone else, my legs feeling heavier with each step as we follow her into the office.

Jeremy Kline sits behind his desk, a file open in front of him. He looks up as we enter. “Good afternoon, everyone. Please, take a seat.”

There are four chairs in front of his desk and a couch behind them.

Loretta moves first, sitting down without hesitation. I glance at the remaining seats, then at my family.

“It’s okay,” Aston says quietly. “Ella and I will take the couch.”

I nod as they move away. Dad sits beside Loretta, and I take the seat next to him. Mum sits on my other side, immediately reaching for my hand.

“What an exciting day,” Jeremy says.

I force a small smile.

Mum huffs beside me.

“Shall we get straight to it?”

My stomach drops, so I grip Mum’s hand tighter, and Dad takes my other. For a moment, I focus on that, on them, on the fact that no matter what happens, I already have a family. But it doesn’t stop the nausea creeping up my throat.

“Loretta,” Jeremy says, glancing at the file. “The test results came back at 99.97% probability.”

He looks up.

“You are Annie’s biological mother.”

The words hit like a shockwave.

Tears spill instantly, mine mixing with Mum’s… and Loretta’s.

“I knew it!” Loretta exclaims, laughing through her tears.

The sound feels… off.

Too much.