Page 267 of Breaking Rosalind

“Miranda,” I say, my words choked. “I always wanted a little brother or sister, and I never dreamed my wish would come true.”

A sob catches in her throat, and her hands rise to cover her face. The sight of her so upset pulls on my heartstrings, and I draw her in for a hug.

“Is that alright with you, love?” I ask, my heart squeezing.

She nods into my chest.

“Then why all the tears?”

“I don’t know,” she says.

Rocking Miranda from side to side, I revel in our closeness, already suspecting the reason for the tears. We have more than a parent in common. She just discovered she was conceived by sexual assault, something that’s still a raw wound in my heart.

I want to protect this little girl with my life.

“So, Rosalind told you everything?”

“Yes,” she says.

“Then you know you have a mother who loves you more than anything?”

Her body trembles. “I ruined her life.”

I glance at the door, looking to Sofia for inspiration, but she’s already slipped inside to give us some privacy. With a sigh, I hug Miranda closer and press my lips into her temple.

“Your mother is the strongest woman I know,” I murmur into her hair. “And do you know why?”

She shakes her head.

“It’s because she has you. When she’s around you, her whole face lights up, like you’re the sun. You didn’t ruin her life, love. You saved it.”

“How?”

“Because you gave her a reason to survive, even at her lowest. Want to know something else?” I ask.

“What?”

“I fell in love with her after seeing how she was with you.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“It’s true,” I say. “Don’t get me wrong. I was always obsessed, but seeing you together made me realize what I was missing. I wanted her to love me as much as she loved you.”

Miranda finally lifts her head to gaze up at me with so much vulnerability and hope my heart melts.

“I’m so proud to have you as my little sister,” I say.

She blinks away the tears. “Really?”

“Really. I finally have a little princess I can spoil. You’re all mine.”

Cheeks turning pink, she gives me a trembling smile. “I’m glad you’re my brother, Cesare.”

Her words fill my heart with a warmth I haven’t felt since before Dad died. Pushing a strand of hair off her face, I tuck it behind her ear and smile. “So am I, love.”

She throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you!”

I swing her around, my heart soaring. This is the best possible outcome. Two brothers who still accept me even though I’m not a Montesano and a bonus sister.