Page 71 of My Destiny

“I’ve carried that picture around for over twenty-seven years. When I saw you on Saturday, I knew straight away who you were. You look so much like her.”

“Knew what?” Although I asked the question, I immediately cover my ears because I don’t want to hear his answer.

“Does the name Johnathan Sanders mean anything to you?” He sits down beside me so I retreat a little further. Johnathan Edward Sanders is a name that has haunted me for many years. It’s also listed underFatheron my birth certificate. My head starts to spin as all the pieces suddenly fall into place. John is short for Johnathan—it can’t be.Oh god, I think I’m going to be sick.

I stand. “You should leave.”

“Brooke, please.”

“Just go!”

“Let me explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain. If what you’re saying is true, you abandoned my mother when she needed you most. You… you told her to abort me.” Tears are streaming down my face as I speak.

He buries his face in his hands, shaking his head from side to side, and I use that moment to make my escape. “I should’ve never said those things to your mother that day. I just panicked. I loved your mother—I still love her. Please believe me. For years, I searched for her.” Turning, I run towards the elevator. I can’t listen anymore. I frantically press the button. “Brooke, give me a chance to explain,” are the last words I hear as the doors close behind me, separating me from that monster.

I stumble back until I hit the back wall, huge sobs racking my body as I slide down to the floor.It can’t be true, it just can’t.

The moment the doors open on the ground level, I scramble to my feet. “Miss Ryan,” the doorman says as I pass him. “Is something wrong?” But I don’t stop to answer him. In this moment my need to get as far away from here as possible is my priority.

After pushing my way through the hordes of people that occupy the sidewalk, I take off at full speed. My feet are bare, but that’s the least of my worries. I have no clue where I’m heading, but I already know I’ll keep going until I can’t go any further. This revelation changes everything.

“Are you okay?” a lady asks as I pass, but I don’t stop. There’s nothing anyone can do to fix this.

I turn down a side street, and I’m so lost inside my own head that I don’t even notice the white van that pulls up beside me until it’s too late.

Before I even realise what’s happening, someone grabs me from behind. “Got ya,” I hear as a damp cloth is placed over my mouth, muffling my scream. A strong sweet smell invades my senses as I thrash around, trying to free myself. I’m dragged backwards and a hot burning feeling consumes my mouth and throat. My movements diminish as my body weakens. “Nighty night, Princess.”

Dread fills me when I feel a needle pierce my skin. My legs give way underneath me as everything fades to black.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Logan

A nervous kind of excitement bubbles within as I step into the lift. It’s crazy how much Brooke affects me. It’s been about ten hours since I last saw her, but given my current state, it feels more like weeks.

I’m clutching my briefcase in one hand and the biggest bunch of yellow roses in the other. I picked them up on the way home because I love the way her face lights up whenever I give her flowers. I can’t quite explain it, but it’s a look I’d gladly witness over and over. It’s the simple things about her that I crave most.

My whole perspective on life has changed. I no longer leave for work at the butt crack of dawn and come home late at night. My time would rather be spent with her, but I have to keep reminding myself that this arrangement is only temporary. She’s leaving once Jake is found, and I know when that day comes, it will more than likely crush me.

When the lift doors open to my apartment, I exit, placing my briefcase down in the foyer, freeing one of my hands. I’m itching to touch her. My eyes are everywhere as I enter the main room, but instead of seeing my girl, I find my uncle. He’s sitting on the sofa with his face buried in his hands.

“John,” I say.

He stands, and the devastation on his face makes me feel immediate unease. What has that bitch done to him now? “I’ve screwed up, kiddo. I’ve screwed up bad.”

“What do you mean? Did something happen with Kathleen?” My eyes again move around the room. “Where’s Brooke?”

“She left.”

“Who, Brooke?”

“Yes.”

“Left? What do you mean she left?”

He lets out a deflated breath, as his bloodshot eyes meet mine. “I came here to talk to you; I wasn’t expecting her to be here. Believe me, I never meant for this to happen.”