Chapter 23

Cora

I stand outside the house that was once a home to me for some of the best years of my life. It feels like a lifetime ago, like a distant dream.

“Are you ready?” Zack asks.

“No.” I look up at him and tell him honestly. “Does she know I’m back in town?”

“No.” He gives me a guilty look. “I wasn’t sure how much you wanted me to say and I knew she would have questions. So, I didn’t tell her.”

“Okay.” I nod, taking a deep breath.

“Cora,” he turns to face me and cups my face. “Everything is going to be fine. My mom loved you. I know she worried and missed you. You have nothing to worry about.”

“You sure?” I let out a panicked laugh. “Because we’re about to tell my ex-stepmom that I’m in a relationship with her son and his wife.”

“Never thought that would be a conversation we’d have, but it was one I have always hoped for.” He grins.

“Really?” I laugh. “You’re crazy.”

“About you? Always have been.” I sigh as he kisses me softly. It’s over soon and then he drags me inside.

“Mom!” Zack shouts. “I’m here.”

“Zack?” I hear her voice in the distance. “I wasn’t expecting you.” This time it’s close.

She’s at the top of the stairs and doesn’t look at us as she quickly makes her way down. A ball forms in my throat as my heart starts to race. She looks older now, but still beautiful as ever.

“How have you—” she looks up and her gaze finds mine. She pauses, eyes widening. She gasps, hand going to her mouth as she whispers. “Cora.”

“Hi, Rose.” my voice cracks as I smile and my eyes start to water.

“Oh my goodness.” She looks up to Zack. “You found her?”

“She found us.” Zack grins down at me. “Mom.” I realize that our hands are still together when he brings them up and kisses the back of my hand. “We have things to talk about.”

“I’M SO SORRY, CORA .” Rose is crying now and I feel horrible. I just got done giving her a basic rundown of how my last ten years went. “I wish I didn’t let him take you. I wish so much I had fought harder to get custody of you. I didn’t know how bad it was. He lied,” she snarls angrily. “He told me your life was better. That you had friends, got a job and you were loving school. I didn’t want to take you away from that. So, I let it go. I was dealing with so much.” She looks down like she’s ashamed.

“It’s not your fault.” I reach out and grab her hand in mine. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I wasn't your responsibility.”

“But you were. I agreed to love you like my own when I married your father. And I did. I did, Cora. You were truly like a daughter to me.” She smiles and I give her a smile back.

“I loved you like a mother. You were the only one I knew and I couldn’t have asked for a better one.”

“I wish I did more. I wish I pressed charges.” She covers her eyes. “I could have taken custody of you and none of that horrible stuff would have happened to you.”

“There are a lot of what ifs. But the thing is, it’s in the past. We can’t change what's already happened, we just need to do better going forward. I got out of that life. And honestly, I hope this doesn’t make me sound like a bad person, but the best thing that could have happened to me was him dying.” I feel guilty saying it, but he wasn’t a good man. Not by a long shot.

“It doesn’t, honey.” She pats my hand. “He was a monster and was very good at hiding it.”

“Until he wasn’t.” I sigh.

“So.” She looks from me to Zack. “What brings you back to Detroit?”

I lick my lips and look up at Zack. We haven’t told her yet, wanting to, I guess, catch up first?

“New start,” I tell her honestly.

“And how did you two find one another again?” She raises a brow, looking down to where Zack’s hand is still in mine. He refuses to let go no matter how much I try.

“Well. How much do you want to hear?” My cheeks are going pink and I look up at Zack.

“We found one another at an event,” he tells her. “Kimmy and I, were there looking for someone for Kimmy.”

Rose’s eyes widen. “By someone, you mean?”

“A partner for Kimmy. Yes,” Zack continues. “Cora was there and, well, we knew we had to talk to her. So....” he looks at me, not sure what to say. I don’t want to tell Rose that her son and his wife bought me for the weekend and I sure as hell don’t wanna tell her how much debt my father left me with because knowing Rose and her kind soul, she's going to feel the need to try and help.

“They approached me and convinced me to talk to them. The rest is a long story.”

“Does that end with the three of you being together?” she asks with a knowing smirk.

“Would you be upset if I said yes?” I ask her, my stomach in knots.

“Not at all.” She laughs. “I knew Kimmy liked girls. I just thought it was mostly for Cora.” She grins.

My eyes widen. “You knew? I don’t even think she did at the time.”

“She didn’t, not really. But I saw it in how she was with you. And how you were with her.” She gives me a knowing look. “And, with Zack. Hell, the three of you were inseparable and I was waiting for this day. Didn’t think it wouldcome so many years later, but I’m happy.”

“You knew I had feelings for Cora?” Zack asks, sounding confused.

“I did.” She nods. “And I was fine with it. As long as you treat each other right. I even mentioned something to your father when he asked why the two of you were so close. He didn’t like that idea.” Rose says, groaning as she looks at me.

“Trust me, I know.” Zack grumbles.

“What do you mean?” Rose asks him.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s in the past.” He waves her off but my heart hurts. I hate my father. I’m glad he’s gone. Hurting me is one thing, but never the people I love.

“What matters is we’re together now. We’re happy and...” Zack grins so damn big. “Cora agreed to be our surrogate.”

Rose gasps. “Oh my god!” She jumps to her feet and we stand up. “I’m so happy.” She hugs us both tightly. “Oh, this is amazing.”

“You’re really okay with all this?” I ask her.

“I’m more than okay, love.” She cups my cheeks. “Welcome back to the family, Cora. We’ve missed you.”

God, I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that. I start to cry and she hugs me like a mother would their child. I’ve always loved Rose and felt safe with her. I feel like I’m home again, and I hope I never have to leave.