Jane's Surrender(7)

“Jane, we wanted to talk with you about something,” Marcus stated, and his words made my stomach flip.

For crying out loud, already? I hadn’t done anything wrong.

“We know you’ve only been with us for a short time, but Carissa and I—” For the first time in my life, the deep rage inside me made me speak up before another disaster happened to me. They wanted to get rid of me? Fine. But I would be the one to say it first.

“Listen, I don’t really need your reasons. I get it. I thought adoption papers were finalized.” I hated myself, because my voice hitched, but it was impossible to control. A girl could be sad if she was kicked out from another home. “But I kind of know the drill here. You changed your mind; you might be pregnant or something else. My point is, don’t give me any stupid speech. I’ll pack later. Can I still go to school until the end of this year? Then you can send me back.” Shit, Anne would have a lot of work again.

Then, it serves her right for putting me in this position in the first place. Didn’t I tell her this shit wouldn't work? But, of course, no one listened to me.

Carissa gasped and covered her mouth with her hand as tears slid down her cheeks.

Marcus’s eyes darkened, and he fisted his hand so tightly I was surprised he didn't break the fork he was holding.

However, the most surprising reaction came from Ben, who stopped eating, got this serious expression on his face, let go of his fork, and ran toward me, hugging me close, his syrupy hands leaving stains on my white T-shirt. He pushed his face in my stomach, and whispered, “You can’t go, Jane. I love you!” His words made me feel something. My chin trembled, but I didn't allow myself to cry. Tears were a sign of weakness, and I couldn't afford a weakness right now.

“I love you, too, Ben.” And it was the truth. I would miss him the most. I was so into the moment with him that, for a second, I didn't register the presence of two people behind me. Then I was in Marcus’s arms, and he hugged me so close that it was hard to breath.

“Jane, no one will ever take you away from us.” He sounded furious. “This is your home, and we’re your family.“

“You don’t want to give me back?” I whispered and sobbed at the same time. I felt Carissa’s soothing hand on my back, and she rested her chin on the top of my head.

“No, sweetheart. You are part of our family now. How could you even think that?” She moved in front of me and took my hands in hers. “We wanted to talk to you about summer vacation and what we have planned. We wanted to make sure you would be okay with our plans. Nothing else, honey.” She wiped away my tears and smiled. “But I’m glad you asked, because now you know for sure no one will touch you or take you away from your rightful place,” she said forcefully, and for some reason, I felt as though a deeper meaning was behind her words, but I couldn't grasp it.

“Let’s clean you up, and then you guys can go.”

I nodded and glanced at them one more time. Finally, I understood that I was part of a family who wasn't about to throw me away like unwanted trash.



5 months later at the summerhouse



I always loved to read books, but there never were enough for everyone in foster care. Then Carissa and Marcus allowed me to have whatever, so I used the opportunity to read all the classics, fantasy, and even some historicals.

When I found the family library, I looked through the shelves and found some weird books with a man and woman on the cover, in some kind of embrace, and looking through the book, I found some weird scenes.

Like sex scenes and kissing.

I’d never read this kind of book.

I put it back in its place because Carissa called us for dinner, but for the whole evening, I wanted to know what that book was all about.

Sneaking to the library in the house felt weird, but curiosity had gotten the better of me. I opened the door, made sure no one was in the hallway, and then tiptoed to the huge-ass room on the first floor. The summerhouse we stayed in was dark, and only moonlight was shining brightly through the curtains, allowing me to see the way. Finally, I reached the massive door, pushed it open as quietly as possible, went inside, and closed it behind me. I shivered slightly; it was cold here for some reason. I turned on my flashlight and looked around. Books were everywhere on shelves, like thousands of them, and the air had the familiar smells of old novels. Taking a few steps inside, I took the strange book and sat in the far corner. Even if someone had made their way to the library, they wouldn’t know I was there.

Once I was comfortable, my flashlight clenched in one hand, I opened the book.

That was the first time I discovered romance novels with dashing heroes and true love.