But I’d know those eyes anywhere.
Fuck, I hope that I didn’t scare her.
“I think that’s her,” I tell River. She steps up to the door and knocks. “Daniella?” River yells.
I hear faint footsteps from behind the door. “Who is it?” I can hear the shaking in her voice, even from behind the door.
“My name is River. What’s yours?”
She doesn’t speak for a few moments. “Daniella.” Her voice is barely audible, but we all hear it.
My heart is beating so fucking hard in my chest. “I’m your niece; Bell is my mom.”
The door opens so fast, I step back, taking River with me. Daniella’s eyes go to River, looking her over. “Bell is dead.” I can see the anger on her face.
“She’s not; she’s my girlfriend. This is her daughter.” I put my hand on River’s shoulder.
She shakes her head no. “You’re lying to me. She is dead. That’s what they told me!” she hisses, her eyes lit with fire.
I take out my phone and show her a picture of Bell. “This is her.” She takes the phone, studying the picture.
She covers her mouth with her hand. “I thought I lost her. I thought I had lost everyone.” She smiles. “I’m glad she got out; that makes me happy. I never got to meet Bell, but I hoped I would always get to.”
She sighs, stepping away from the door. “Would you like to come in?”
I slip in beside her and the others follow me. My eyes go straight to a framed frame of a newborn baby.
I walk closer, picking it up. “Please don’t break that. That’s all I have of her.” She takes the frame from me, tucking it to her chest.
I study her. Her face is showing her pain. “What happened to her?”
Daniella’s head drops. “The flu. I was very sick and then I just woke up after being sick for days and they told me she died from it.”
Please fucking tell me that they lied to this girl. “What was her name?” I hesitate to ask, the others scooting closer to listen.
She smiles, looking at the frame. “Anna, my sweet baby.”
FUCK.
15
Maverick
This is much fucking worse than I thought. I cannot imagine thinking that my baby was dead but in reality she is not.
Fucking heartbreaking.
How do I tell someone that their kid is not dead but she was pretty much fucking sold?
They used her as a bargaining chip.
“Why are you all looking at me like that?” Her eyes widen. She looks so much like Bell, but her hair is dark brown like her father’s.
“Until earlier today we didn’t know you fucking existed. We came here to confront your parents about what they did to…” I let out a big fucking breath. “To Anna.”
She steps back. “Why are you doing this to me? I have suffered enough.” She puts the picture onto the table, cradling her head. “You have hurt me enough, please leave!”
God, this hurts.
“No, look!” I take out my phone and show her a picture of Bell and Anna sitting together.
She looks at the phone then at the picture of Anna as a baby. “Are you telling me my baby is not dead?”
I shake my head. “We didn’t know about her until a month ago. Bell left her husband and he has been after her. In exchange for her, they tried to give us Anna.”
She falls to the ground, holding herself as it sinks in. I squat down in front of her. “She wasn’t hurt. She’s been with your parents this whole fucking time. She is okay; she is happy.”
“Please, I beg you, take me to her. I will do anything,” she pleads.
River takes her hands, lifting her to her feet. “We’ll leave right now, I promise.”
Her face changes to one void of emotion. “What’s the matter?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “He’ll find me, he’ll hurt me. I can’t let her be in danger.”
“You will not be in any danger. We will keep you safe, and Anna too,” I reassure her. “She’s living with us. We have plenty of room. Okay?” I smile.
She nods. “Maybe we shouldn’t tell her who I am right off the bat? Maybe let her get to know me and tell her when the time is right?”
“Whatever you want.”
She smiles, her eyes lighting up. “Let’s go see my baby.”
Bell
Maverick called me on the way back here. Daniella is alive and a lot better than I expected, but it’s worse in some ways. They told her Anna was dead.
Anna is playing with Ronny, and the seconds are moving so slow. My stomach is hurting from the constant worrying about how this is going to go.
I’m so glad she’s alive. I never knew she existed until today, but I’ve never prayed for someone more.
She deserves a happy life. Thinking your daughter was dead but really wasn’t?
That would fucking shatter me.
They did it to control her, that is one thing I am completely certain about. I wouldn’t allow them to do that with my daughters.
Adeline is pacing the room, just as nervous as I am. Maverick also told me that Daniella made a decision to not tell Anna the truth for a while. I’m so thankful for that. Anna has been through too much and is just now overcoming it.
The hotel door opens. River is the first one through, followed by Maverick and a girl around Jessica’s age.
She looks so scared. I’m sure I had a similar expression on my face when Jessica rescued me from that life.
I slowly walk up to her, my hands in front of me. She sees me. “Bell?” she asks.
I nod. “It’s so nice to meet you.” I smile, itching to pull her to me and hug her.
She splits the distance and hugs me. I wrap her up tight and hold her as long as she needs me to. I cannot imagine what she’s dealing with right now.
Maverick stands by my side, hand on my back, as we share this moment together.
She pulls back. I wipe the tears from her face. “Ready to meet your girl?”
She nods, a tear falling, and I take her hand, leading her over to Anna who is holding her Barbie in her hand.
“Anna, I want to introduce you to Daniella.”
Anna looks up and smiles at Daniella. “I’ve seen her pictures before. She’s my first mommy who died, then I had my second mommy, who is Bell’s mommy.”
Anna’s eyes widen like she can’t believe she said that, then she studies the both of us, confused.
Did she just say that?
“Wait, I’m confused. What is happening?” Anna rubs her forehead. I sit down beside her, taking her hand.
I push her hair from her face. “She’s not dead, baby. We thought she was,” I confess to her.
Anna looks at her, blinking. “Does that mean you’re my mommy?”
Daniella looks like she’s seconds from passing out. I don’t blame her. I thought Anna didn’t have a clue about her; she never even mentioned her. I didn’t know anything either.
What a mess.
My heart aches for the both of them. “I can be if you want me to be.” Daniella answers Anna’s question so softly, her voice cracking as she holds back the emotions.