The Billionaire's Game(29)

“Was his childhood bad?” Asha asked tentatively, knowing it was none of her business, but still wanting to know. Kade didn’t talk about his childhood. He spoke about his family, but most of the events he shared were recent.

Maddie snorted. “Bad? His childhood makes ours look like paradise. His father was a mental case who drank. Kade, Mia, and Travis were all pretty badly abused. Then one day, his father killed their mother and then shot himself. It was a major scandal and a stigma that still comes up now and then. It’s been a hard incident to shake for all of them.”

Asha’s chest ached, almost as if she were able to feel the pain of Kade’s past. There was silence as a speaking glance passed between her and Maddie, a moment of silent communication where each knew what the other was thinking: Life wasn’t fair, and sometimes really bad things happened to good people.

Finally, Asha said timidly, “Maddie?”

“Yeah?” Maddie answered, looking questioningly at Asha.

“I still think Kade’s a wonderful man. His leg doesn’t matter. I hate that he isn’t doing what he loves and I’m sorry his leg causes him some pain. But he’s still the same man, and he’s splendid.” Asha sighed.

Maddie put her hands on her hips and shot Asha an amused look. “You do like him. But remember, he’s a man, so it’s impossible for him to be perfect.”

“Don’t you think Sam’s perfect?”

“Oh, God, no! He’s arrogant, bossy, and way overprotective. And I remind him of that frequently,” Maddie answered with laughter in her voice. “But he’s also the man who stole my heart and wouldn’t give it back. My soul mate. He’s kind, loving, and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to make me happy. And vice versa. So nope…he’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for me.”

Asha watched Maddie’s dreamy eyes and lovesick expression, happy that Maddie finally had the man of her dreams. “I’d like to meet him someday.”

“You will. Soon,” Maddie promised. “He’s anxious to meet you, too. But he was afraid you’d be a little overwhelmed. Sam’s brother is married to my best friend, and Simon and Kara would like to meet you, too, when you’re feeling more comfortable.”

“Hey…where are you two? We’re eating,” Max bellowed from downstairs.

Maddie and Asha looked at each other and giggled. Max sounded like an angry bear ready to pounce on his food.

“You okay?” Maddie asked, putting her arm around Asha’s shoulders. “I know this is all really new for you, and probably confusing.”

“I’m good,” Asha answered honestly. “I’m actually looking forward to doing some of the walls in this house. I think I’m still having a little culture conflict, caught between the way I was raised and what I really want. I want to be independent and strong, but I’m fighting my past baggage.”

“Everything will be okay, Asha. I promise. We’re all here to help you get whatever you want.”

Unfortunately, Asha wasn’t sure it was a case of “whatever she wanted” and not “who she wanted” but she wasn’t about to mention that to Maddie. She still had a long way to go before that butterfly was going to emerge and be liberated.

The two of them walked slowly toward the top of the stairs, Asha gently grabbing Maddie’s arm before she descended the stairs. “Is there any way we can find out for sure that there’s no mistake, that we’re really sisters?”

Maddie’s brows drew together as she searched Asha’s face. “I know you’re my sister.”

“I want to know for sure. Can we do it?” If anyone would know, it was Maddie. She was a doctor, and if there was a way to see scientific proof, Maddie would know.

“We can do mitochondrial DNA testing since we’re just trying to see if we all have the same mother, but we already know we do,” Maddie said, her tone puzzled. “I don’t need any more proof, Asha. I feel it the same as Max does, and we have plenty of proof.”

“I guess it’s hard for me to believe,” Asha said, shaking her head.

Maddie smoothed back Asha’s black hair, placing an errant lock gently behind her ear. “We can do the test. I already know what the results will be because I feel it. I hope someday you’ll feel it, too.”

Asha did feel it, but she was afraid to believe anything she couldn’t prove with scientific evidence. She wanted to tell Maddie that she already felt like her sister, that the bond was already there. But the uncertainty was still there, and she hated it. Why couldn’t she believe her gut instinct? Maybe because she’d never listened to it before?