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There was one other reason I lingered like a stain on my brother’s apartment.

Luka.

I wanted to see him again. I wanted to talk to him again. I wanted to see this gleam in his innocent eyes when he tasted chocolate for the first time.

I didn’t know if I was supposed to, but I wanted to witness and experience his childhood like a mother.

“Sierra?” Matty asked. “Did you rope my sister into your weird position as well?”

“Katy loves it,” Sierra countered, munching her Cheetos.

“Yes, it’s really nice, Matty,” I added.

Sierra and I were upside down on the couch watching a Korean drama that she swore was the best, and I must agree that it intrigued me enough to continue watching it. The only problemwas reading the subtitles, but it felt relaxing to lay like this and watch TV.

Matty’s bewildered expression didn’t fade. “I highly doubt it,” he murmured. “But come on, it’s time to go.”

I perked up to a sitting position, shaking off the light dizziness because excitement fired my heart at the thought of going to Iona to meet Luka again. After all, I’d secretly been hoping for this moment this entire week.

My excitement only brightened when the sign to St. Mary’s School for Children came into view. It was a beautiful property on the edge of a quiet street, with the school and the hostel block in the same compound, lush with trees and expansive lawns. It was run by Lucia and Peter, a wonderful couple who dedicated their lives to these children.

Armed with chocolate milkshakes to feed an army, we entered the small reception area through the back building and were immediately greeted by Lucia walking up to us, smiling warmly.

“See you brought the kids some treat,” she said as she took some of the bags from us.

“Can’t help it.” Matty shrugged. “I do apologize for the sugar rush in advance.”

“That’s okay, Mr. Evans,” she said over her shoulder. “As long as it makes them happy but don’t tell those rowdy brats I told them so.”

We followed her down the huge hallway to a small hall where Matty taught the kids drumming last week.

The chatter in the air grew louder as we neared, and as soon as Lucia opened the door, a scurry of excited faces swarmed Matty and Sierra, but my eyes searched the crowd for only one person.

And there he was in a quiet corner, leaning over a pillar. He bit his lips as he eyed Matty and the rest of the kids almost as if he was skeptical of what was going on.

I sidestepped the little crowd and made my way toward him, and Luka’s eyes brightened when they found mine.

“Katiew,” he said with delight, skipping over to me, and my heartbeat rose at that sight.

“Hey, Luka.” I crouched down to greet him with a hug. “I brought you a chocolate milkshake like promised,” I said, handing him the cold cup with a peppermint-designed straw poking out of it.

“Thank you,” he mumbled shyly as his adorable fingers clasped around the cup. He protectively held the cup to his chest and tentatively took a sip. His eyes twinkled at the taste, which only made him slurp more.

“Good?” I asked

“Yes, Katiew. This the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” He hurried, trying to finish the rest of his shake.

“Slow down, buddy.” I softly patted his hair back. “I brought plenty.”

He nodded, looking at me with so much trust and vulnerability that it made me want to wrap him in my arms and keep him with me forever.

It was then that I decided that Luka was going to be mine.

I had no clue how to be a mother, or maybe everything in my life happened so I could be this boy’s mother.

Or maybehewas my second chance.

CHAPTER 17