JUNE'S POV
"I'm adopted?" I questioned to no one in particular, the document clutched tightly in my hand. With trembling fingers, I scanned the words again, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Could this revelation shatter the very foundation of my existence?
"I'm adopted," I whispered, the weight of disbelief settling upon me like a heavy cloak, enveloping me in a haze of uncertainty.
"Are you okay June?" Miguel's voice cut through the turmoil in my mind, his concern etched on his face. I turned to him, tears brimming in my eyes, a silent plea for reassurance.
“No! I’m not okay.” I cried out, my gaze fixed on the document, as if by sheer will I could alter its contents and rewrite my reality.
“It's going to be alright,” Miguel's words, a soothing balm to my tumultuous thoughts, as he enveloped me in a comforting embrace. The scent of his cologne calmed my racing heart, his touch a lifeline in the storm.
“Let me see that,” Miguel requested, taking the adoption papers from my grasp. I watched as he delved into the details, searching for a glimmer of understanding in the sea of confusion.
“Look here, it was signed by an anonymous man,” Miguel pointed out, revealing a new layer to the mystery before us. I nodded slowly, the pieces of my past rearranging themselves in a new light.
“This could be my real father,” I mused, the implications of this revelation sinking in, reshaping my sense of identity.
“How did your parents die June?” Miguel's inquiry pierced the heavy silence, his eyes probing for answers to questions long buried in my past.
“My mother's first husband, who was supposed to be my father's and May's, he left us when we were young. She remarried, and they... they never returned from a trip,” I recounted, the memories resurfacing with a poignant ache. I shook my head gently in an attempt to ward them away.
"Think May could have known?" Miguel's question made me tense, pondering the implications before denying the possibility with a shake of my head.
"Nah, May spills secrets like a leaky faucet. One of her toxic traits,” I quipped as I reminisced with a small smile, my gaze fixated on the document, hoping for answers to materialize magically.
"So, chances are the man who signed this is your real father and might very much still be alive," Miguel's revelation weighed heavily on me, prompting a deep sigh. I distanced myself, battling a rising headache with a hand on my temple.
"If that's true, who's my real father then?" My rhetorical question lingered in the air, not expecting a definite answer from Miguel.
"Still a mystery," he acknowledged, closing the gap between us, offering a comforting embrace. His soothing touch stirred a whirlwind of emotions within me.
"We'll uncover the truth, June," his reassurance filled me with gratitude, my heart swelling with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
"Let's just go," I murmured, my voice trembling under the weight of overwhelming emotions.
Exiting hand in hand, I stole a final glance at the house, a place of both memories and hidden truths. With a heavy heart, I turned off the lights and locked the door, leaving behind a chapter of my past.
"You got the birth certificate, right?" I sought reassurance, ensuring our main mission wasn't in vain.
"Yep," Miguel nodded, presenting the certificate as I clutched the adoption papers tightly.
"I should drive us back to the office," Miguel suggested, opening the passenger’s door for me.
"I think so too," I acquiesced, my mind racing with thoughts as I slid into the car beside Miguel. His gaze was fixed on the road ahead, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the adoption documents, each word a weight on my chest, altering my reality with each passing second.
"June, are you alright?" Miguel's voice broke through my reverie, his touch grounding me in the moment. Emotions surged, and tears threatened to spill over as I grappled with the newfound truths.
With a heavy heart, I leaned into my palm, the floodgates opening as grief and confusion poured out. Miguel's presence was a silent comfort, his hand a steady reassurance on my thigh.
"It's like my whole life has been a facade," I whispered, the weight of my identity crisis pressing down on me. "I thought I was June Ryan, but now I found out that I’m supposed to be a certain, Verity Leigh. Why did my mother keep this from me?" I turned to Miguel, seeking solace in his eyes.
"Maybe she wanted to shield you from that pain and loneliness," Miguel offered, his words a balm to my wounded soul. I accepted the handkerchief he offered, wiping away tears and composing myself.
"I'm ready. Just drive," I declared, determination firm in my tone, meeting Miguel's gaze with newfound resolve.
“Are you sure?” He asked, eliciting a small nod of reaffirmation from me.
As we drove away, leaving the eerie house behind, a mix of relief and sorrow settled within me. The past clung to me like a shadow, but the road ahead held the promise of truth and closure.
A soft sigh escaped me as we idled by the traffic light. The distant car horns, the hum of engines, and the chatter of passersby depicted the vibrant, typical picture of bustling New York City.
"How's business been faring since The Royales pulled out their financial backing?" I inquired, turning to Miguel with genuine interest. Amidst my own turmoil, I had overlooked his challenges.
“Business has been slow honestly, we are looking for more financial prospects, hoping that they would invest in us but it’s kind of difficult with the news spreading around about the Royale family withdrawing partnership with no apparent reason,” Miguel explained and I nodded in contemplation.
The red light turned green and Miguel continued his drive, swerving a little to avoid an oncoming vehicle.
"Any progress with the new prospects?" I probed, eager to understand his world better.
“I’m supposed to get a report from Bryan today but since he hasn’t called I’m guessing nothing yet,” he replied, reaching out his hand to hold my thighs.
“I love how involved you want to be in my life,” he appreciated, causing me to grin happily.
Upon reaching his workplace, the familiar receptionist greeted us warmly. Inside his office, the air was charged with an unexpected intensity as Miguel's sudden kiss took me by surprise, igniting a rush of emotions. I found myself relaxing in his touch and my tensed shoulder became more relaxed as well. I heaved a sigh of content as I closed my eyes and encircled my arm around his, our kiss deepening.
His tender touch and the gentle kiss enveloped me, drawing me closer as the world faded away. The moment was filled with a mix of passion and comfort, a silent understanding between us as he lifted me. I cradled him gently, wanting to be closer to him that I already was. Our want for each other grew, causing him to place me gently on the table while I tried to loosen his tie.
“June,” he whispered out my name, causing me to moan out in response. He traced his kisses down my neck and suddenly the door burst open, startling us both in the process.
"Is this how you spend your free time? Putting the establishment's future at risk?" Kathlyn's voice pierced the air, her disapproval palpable as we tried to compose ourselves.
"What are you doing here, Mom?" Miguel's tone was edged with frustration, his irritation simmering beneath the surface.
"Don't act innocent, son. I'm here to set you straight, and it seems June is meddling again!" Kathlyn's words dripped with disdain, but I focused on fixing my tousled hair and concealing my flushed cheeks from the embarrassment of being caught with her son by her.
Miguel let out a weary sigh, the tension evident in his demeanor. As he confronted his mother, I opted to observe from his chair, letting her words wash over me like a river over stone.
"Have you reconsidered Ashley?" Kathlyn persisted, bringing up the topic of Ashley Royale again!
“For the love of God! Would you just drop it!” Miguel deadpanned, causing his mother to place both of her hands on her hips.
“No, I will not! Have you not seen how we have been suffering?” She tried to convince, eliciting a small scoff from me.
"Love, Lily's school is about to close. Should we pick her up together or do you want to handle it?" Miguel turned to me, deliberately ignoring his mother.
"I arranged for Lily to take the school bus today and made sure Stacy is home before she returns from school," I reassured him, earning a nod of acknowledgment. Miguel slumped onto the couch in his office, clearly drained.
"I'm talking to you, son!" Kathlyn's voice demanded attention as she approached Miguel, towering over him momentarily. I absentmindedly picked up a pen, twirling it in my fingers.
"Why are you so fixated on Ashley?" Miguel questioned, resting his head in his hand, his gaze locked with his mother's.
"Have you seen the stock market lately, son? The Lyons' company's sales and prospects have dwindled. People used to flock to invest in our products, to partner with us, knowing our tech designs were top-notch. But now, they've lost trust," Kathlyn expressed, trying to appeal to her son.
"All what you have just said is balderdash, mother," Miguel dismissed with a casual shrug, prompting a sigh of disbelief from her.
"She's to blame for all of this!" Kathlyn accused, pointing directly at me, eliciting a feigned gasp of disbelief
"Don't put the blame on me, all I did was love your son genuinely," I muttered, shrugging, which earned a chuckle from Miguel.
"Reconsider Ashley," Kathlyn pleaded, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Mrs. Kathlyn Henrietta Lyon, you've lived your life with the man of your dreams without your parents' dictatorship. Now, let me live mine with the woman of my dreams without you breathing down my neck every single time!" Miguel's calm yet firm words sent a chill down my spine.
"Miguel..." she attempted to speak but was abruptly cut off by the entrance of a disheveled Bryan. He appeared weary and unkempt, evident from the dark circles under his eyes and his tousled beard.
"Looks like we've got company," Bryan remarked, eyeing his mother warily as he settled onto the couch opposite Miguel in the office.
"Any updates?" Miguel inquired, disregarding his mother. Bryan let out a tired groan as he took his seat, setting a mysterious tone.
"Well, there's news, but whether it's good or bad, that's for you to decide," Bryan hinted, leaving an air of suspense hanging in the room.
"Go on!" Miguel urged, eager to hear the news.
"That company we landed a deal with the other day? They're on the verge of pulling out their investments," Bryan paused dramatically, hinting at more excitement to come.
"That’s a dreadful news and there was no way else I would have received it!” Miguel exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice, followed by a deep sigh.
"They're only willing to stay if we can secure another dealership with a major company," Bryan continued, adding to the suspense.
"It's already a challenge to attract potential partners, let alone persuade them to collaborate," Miguel remarked pointedly.
"Trust in your brother, dear brother," Bryan teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"I've arranged a meeting for you with a prominent CEO. Just show up, and work your marketing magic," Bryan announced, bringing a wave of relief over Miguel.
Suddenly, the piercing ring of my phone shattered the tense atmosphere.
"Excuse me," I muttered, picking up the phone. A sense of dread washed over me as I listened intently to the caller. My heart raced as I abruptly stood up.
"What do you mean Lily passed out?"