No Strings Attached

Chapter Forty-Four

"No, my mother's name is Gail."

"Gail was Donna's sister. Donna died... she died during complications giving birth to you."

"No." I stand up. "No, this is ridiculous."

"Scarlett."

"My mother loved me. She had pictures of me as newborn."

I move farther back into the room, away from him. He's pale white.

"I know... if you'll just let me explain. I can explain."

"Explain what? You're lying. You have to be."

He holds up his hands, trying to placate me. "Please, don't run from this, Scarlett. I made a lot of mistakes with you and I've lived with the regret for twenty-eight years..."

I can barely see him. My eyes are overflowing with tears of fear. "I don't..."

"Just listen to me, alright?"

I nod, frozen. What else can I do?

"I loved Donna, more than anything. She got pregnant shortly after we met. We weren't expecting it. I was in the middle of my life. This business was just beginning to pick up. I was doing well, constantly here instead of home– where I should have been."

He rubs his bloodshot eyes. "She wanted you so badly... and I wanted her. By the time it came to the birth, we hadn't even known each other a year but we had discussed getting married once we had you."

My mothers face keeps appearing in my head... Even my father's.

He struggles to breathe. "She went into early labor. I wasn't there. I was on a trip... I flew back as quickly as I could but she was already gone. They had told her only she or you could saved, but not both. She chose you."

No. I shake my head. No.

"Norman..." I whisper, in fright. His eyes briefly flicker to mine, swelling with water like my own.

"I didn't want you. I... I loathed the sight of you."

I turn sharply, bringing my hands to my face, my chest suffocating tight.

"I didn't realize what I had. I didn't... I could only see her i-in you and it destroyed me. Gail, the woman who raised you, who was your mother, she couldn't have children. I told her I'd give her you. She accepted on a condition that I remain out of your life, that she raise you as her own and that you'd never know." He sniffles and then exhales. "I... I agreed. God, I hate myself for it but I agreed."

I feel a crushing weight on my chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

"You gave me away?"

"Scarlett, I'm so sorry!"

"Did you even know who they were?"

"I-I met them once before. They seemed–"

"That man beat me endlessly, he beat my mother! He was the devil!" I grit my teeth, furiously, shaking in my rage. "You left me with the devil!"

He moves towards me. I can't run fast enough, nearly knocking over his bar as I back up. "I didn't know. I didn't know he was hurting you then, I swear, Scarlett."

I shake my head over and over again.

"Scarlett, honey, I'm so sorry. I regret what I did every day of my life. I wish I could have raised you. By the time I was ready, it was too late. She wouldn't let you go... I told myself I had to let you go. I swear, if I knew you were in danger, I would have taken you back!"