Unreckoned ties

I waited nervously for the woman I was about to meet. The aroma of freshly ground coffee and warm bread filled the café, but it did little to calm my nerves. Then, a woman with rich brown skin and beautifully curled hair stepped inside. I lifted a hand to wave at her, and as I expected, Albert followed closely behind.

Albert—my ex-brother-in-law.

The DNA test had revealed that Rosie Hawkins was my half-sister, a revelation that left me reeling. And as much as Albert despised me, fate seemed determined to keep us tied together.

"Are you sure the test is legitimate, or is this just another stunt to get closer to Laila?" Albert asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Rosie elbowed him sharply and mouthed, Shut up. He immediately clamped his mouth shut.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Raymond," Rosie said apologetically. "Albert insisted on coming."

"Please, call me Ray. And it’s fine—I understand why he’s wary, given what happened with me and Laila."

Rosie smiled warmly, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered if our mother had the same smile.

"Ray, I just don’t know where to begin," Rosie admitted, a hint of confusion in her tone. "My mom never once mentioned having another son, let alone loving anyone besides my dad."

The words stung more than I expected, but I forced a small chuckle.

"Well, I only found out a few months ago that the woman I thought was my mother… wasn’t. Taking the DNA test was a shot in the dark, and I never imagined your name would come up as my half-sibling."

Rosie gave a soft laugh. It’s not every day you find out you have a long-lost half-brother who’s nearly twice your age.

I hesitated before asking, "Is… your mom—Mrs. Hawkins—doing well?"

"Oh yes," Rosie said, her expression lighting up. "For a 75-year-old woman, she’s in amazing shape."

My heart pounded. Would a woman who had built a peaceful life want to see the bastard son she left behind? Before I could spiral further, Rosie placed a reassuring hand on mine.

"Ray, my mom—our mom—would never hate you. I know she misses you deeply, and she never stopped loving you." She took a breath. "If you don’t mind… would you like to visit my house this weekend?"

Albert shot me a side-eye, but I barely noticed. I was speechless.

The weekend arrived, and I found myself standing in front of a home that exuded warmth. Flowers bloomed in carefully arranged beds, and clematis vines curled beautifully over the entrance gate. It was nothing like the cold, lifeless mansions I had grown up in.

From inside, I heard a woman’s voice call out, followed by the sound of laughter. I froze.

An older gentleman opened the gate, his face lined with years but his smile kind. "You must be Raymond."

I swallowed hard and nodded.

He patted my back gently. "Come in, son. She’s been waiting for you."

There, in the garden, stood a woman with graying hair tied in a neat bun. A golden retriever played at her feet as she laughed—the same soft, heartwarming laugh Rosie had.

"Honey, look who’s here," the man called out.

She turned. Our eyes met.

For the first time in my life, I couldn’t decipher the look on someone’s face. Shock? Joy? Regret? Then, without a word, she crossed the space between us and pulled me into her arms.

And just like that, the dam inside me broke.

I clung to her as sobs wracked my body, and she held me as if she had been waiting her whole life to do so.