Page 13 of Claimed

“Why?” I ask as I stare into her eyes.

“I couldn’t be with you –”

“Why are you here?” I cut her off impatiently.

Gage squeezes my shoulder. Probably a gentle reminder that I promised to give her a chance. Her bottom lip trembles and tears pool in her eyes once more. I steel myself against her waterworks. I can’t let them affect me.

“I never wanted to give you up,” she sobs.

“Then why did you? Howcouldyou?”

“I was young. I thought I had no other choice. My parents brainwashed me into thinking I was doing the right thing.”

“Did it feel right?”

“No,” she admits. “I felt horrible. There wasn’t a day that went by and I didn’t think of you. I’ve been waiting for this day since the moment your father took you from my arms and walked out of the hospital.”

“So, what? You come here and give me some sob story and we’re supposed to kiss and make up?”

“Raven,” Gage says sternly next to me.

I roll my eyes. I have a stranger trying to act like my mother and a boyfriend trying to scold me like a father. Laurelyn gives him a curious stare and he extends his hand to her.

“Gage Hunter.”

She takes his hand gingerly.Stuck-up bitch.

“Mr. Hunter. You are...?” She raises a perfectly arched eyebrow.

“He’s my boyfriend,” I snap before he can answer. He clears his throat awkwardly, and pulls his hand away. She gives him a weak smile then turns back to me. If she’s going to judge him, she can turn around and leave right now.

“I see. I’m glad you have someone. Your father told me you and your sister aren’t close.”

“How often did you two talk?”

I can’t believe Daddy had that much contact with her and never said anything to me. He could have at least let me know she was checking up on me. Then again, I know I would have wanted to talk to her, see her. That’s probably why he didn’t.

“Rarely. I wasn’t supposed to have any contact with him either, so we had to be very careful.”

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry…about what happened to him. I wanted to be there but…” she trails off, looking to the side.

I stare down at my hand in my lap and absentmindedly pick at the white sheet. I don’t really know what to say to her.

“Raven, I didn’t expect this to be easy. I know it will take time, but...I’m here. I want to be a part of your life. Ineedyou to be a part of mine.”

“Why?”

Tears begin to stream down her cheeks and she blinks rapidly to try and chase them away. When Gage’s arm tightens around my shoulder, I realize I’m doing the same.

“I’ve loved you since the moment I found out I was pregnant. Giving you up was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my entire life.Stayingaway from you was the second hardest.”

She reaches out to me again and this time, I let her touch me. She gently strokes my hair and then cups my cheek. I close my eyes, leaning into her touch as her sweet, floral scent fills my nostrils. I feel Gage slowly pull away and soft, delicate arms replace his.

“My baby girl,” she croons.

I don’t know how long she held me while we both cried our eyes out but when I pull away from her, I feel raw. My nose is stuffy and my eyes feel like they’re almost swollen shut. She’s all red and puffy and desperately trying to compose herself. I hope she doesn’t think that hug meant everything’s all good. We’resofar from good. But maybe, just maybe, I’m more willing to give her a chance.