His relaxed state sets me at ease.
“Okay…well, my life has never been easy. And I’m not telling you this for pity, but only because it’s the truth and the whole reason why I took the test. I’m not ashamed of where I came from, but I don’t want to shock you any more than I already have.”
He shoots me a small smile. “Consider me unable to be shocked any more at this point.”
I laugh. It feels good to release the tension from my body. “Okay. Well, my mother—not that I think it reflects on you or anything—is awful. Seriously, I can’t believe I’m related to her or that she attracted someone as nice as you in the first place.”
Matteo winces.
Shit, Chloe, be a little nicer, won’t you? “She made my life miserable while I was growing up, and all I did was wish every year that I would find you. It’s what kept me sane in a place that was anything but.”
Matteo’s cheeks lose their healthy coloring. Oh, God, I’m botching this again.
“No pressure or anything. I swear!” I raise my hands in a way to placate him. “I had hoped my father would be interested in developing a better relationship with me than my mother. And since she claimed she didn’t remember who my dad was, I couldn’t exactly find him. But then my roommate bought me an ancestry kit for my birthday and—”
“You found me.”
“Yup. I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. I mean—It was like something you see in a movie. But here I am, sitting with you.”
He nods. “I took the test after someone gave it to me as a gift. I was curious to see where my ancestors were from, but I didn’t expect it to connect me to anyone.”
“I’m glad that you took it.” I lace my fingers together in front of me.
Matteo’s eyes soften. “What was it like growing up with your mother?”
“Are you sure you want to know?”
He nods, but he looks very unsure.
I settle with telling him the truth because I might as well rip the Band-Aid off now. “It’s obvious she used me for the government payout. I hated living with her, but my first social worker kept trying to reunify us and give her a chance. That was until she started dating Ralph. Her boyfriend was creepy with me, and I caught him in my room on multiple occasions. I lived every day in fear, hoping there was something better for me in the world.”
It’s the rawest I’ve been with someone about my situation. I might have accepted my history, but it doesn’t make the facts any easier to swallow. Instead of hiding the stirring emotions inside of me, I raise my chin and look Matteo in the eyes.
This is me. I rally. I fight. I make it through the day in hopes of a better tomorrow.
“I’m so sorry, Chloe. I hate to hear how awful you were treated. No child should ever grow up in a situation like that.” His voice cracks.
“It’s okay.” I look away, unable to handle the weight of his sincere gaze. “I didn’t have to live like that for too long. After an accident, I was reassigned to an amazing social worker who helped me get out of my house and into a good foster home. The foster care system took good care of me, and I met my best friend, Brooke, that way. I consider myself lucky in some ways.”
“How can you make light of such traumatic experiences?”
“Because in the end, I’m here now. Yeah, the journey to get here wasn’t the easiest one, but I have you and that’s what matters. It’s exactly what I wished for. The past is the past, but my future is brighter than ever.” I beam.
Matteo’s eyes drop to his lap again.
Did I come on too strong?
Matteo fists his palms in unison. Tension ripples up his arms at the gesture.
Yeah, definitely came on too strong.
Matteo lifts his head. His eyes shine, and wetness clings to his lashes. He clears his throat. “I know I can’t take away the pain you went through, but will you let me try?”
My chest aches in the best kind of way. His acceptance is everything I wanted and wished for. I nod my head, happy to finally feel like I’ve found a home after so many years.
Santiago pounces on me the moment I unlock the front door.
I scream and jump back. My arms fly out to my sides as I lose my footing.
“Sorry!” He grabs onto my arm to prevent me from falling.
“What are you doing, creeping at the door like a freaking murderer?”
His wild eyes scan my face. “It’s late.”
“I didn’t know I had a curfew, Dad.”