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.

Gio pointed his fork at me, “I’d beat you now.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve had six years to practice.”

“I’ve had six years to get even better.”

“We’ll see.”

A smile finally appeared on his face. It wasn’t a big one but it was real.

Then, Dad’s voice drifted across the table, “Confidence comes easily, when life hasn’t reminded you of your limits.”

The smile faded from Gio’s face so quickly it hurt to watch.

Dad folded his napkin neatly beside his plate, “You’ve always had spirit, Gio. I admired that. But spirit without discipline has never been enough.”

He turned slightly toward me.

“Your sister understood that much earlier.”

I frowned.

Dad looked back at Gio, “Gianna falls. She gets back up. You…” His eyes flickered briefly toward the wheelchair before returning to Gio’s face, “…have always needed someone beside you.”