My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 744

Chapter 744

The elevator hummed softly as it carried us downward. For a few moments, nobody spoke.

I looked over at Gio, “So…”

He looked back, “So?”

“I have an important question.”

His expression immediately became suspicious.

“When did you become taller than me?” I asked.

“I grew.”

“Does growing mean you have to become unbearably boring.”

His eyebrows lifted, “I’ll have you know I’ve become incredibly sophisticated.”

“Oh?”

“I drink tea now.”

I gasped, “Tea?”

He nodded with complete seriousness, “Sometimes without sugar.”

I placed a hand dramatically over my heart,.”I don’t know who you are anymore.”

Perla laughed softly. “It’s strange,” she admitted. “Six years is a long time. People change.” She looked at me with warm eyes. “But… I think I like the woman you became even more than the little girl I knew.”

A small smile found its way onto my face, “That’s all because of Mom.”

Perla’s smile slowly faded. She lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back at me, “Hazel did what I couldn’t. She gave you the kind of love that lets a child grow instead of just survive,” she swallowed, “I wish… I’d had even half her courage. Maybe then I could’ve been the mother you deserved.”

The words were simple. There wasn’t any hidden meaning behind them.

“You were enough,” I smiled, though it felt a little shaky, “I don’t think you realize how much you did for me.”

She opened her mouth, but I gently shook my head. My eyes drifted ahead for a second as memories came rushing back.

“I never forgot what you said,” I could still hear her voice, “Be brave. If you hadn’t opened that door. I never would’ve met my mom. I never would’ve met Jules.”

I never would’ve met Raphael.

“I never would’ve become the woman standing here. So don’t tell yourself you weren’t enough,” I stepped closer until only a few inches separated us, “Because you were. And sometimes…” I whispered, “one act of love changes someone’s whole life.”

She let out a shaky laugh through her tears, “I can see your mother in you.”

I smiled, “I get that a lot.”

The elevator doors opened. I pushed Gio into the hallway..Together, the three of us made our way toward the dining room. A maid opened the large double doors the moment she saw us approaching.

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