Unforgettable (Haven Falls 4)

But more importantly, why the hell do I care so much? I shouldn’t. This woman abandoned me and yes, she gave me a better life, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. I was abandoned by Aria’s mom, Kelly, when I thought she was my mother, only to find out I’d already been left behind once before.

Damn. Maybe I shouldn’t have put up such a fight with the bitchy woman who insisted I needed an appointment. Maybe I would have saved myself from finding out things that I don’t want to know.

I let out a sigh. Oh well, I’m here now.

I sit in a room filled with tables and chairs. Buzzers are going off as the sound of metal echoing against metal rings in my ears. I never realized just how loud it would be in a prison and I’m not even in the main part, just the visitors’ area. Not to mention, it’s kind of cold in here too.

One by one, prisoners are led into the room. They all seem to pause by the door, glance around the room until they find who they’re looking for and carry on. My palms begin to sweat and I slide them along my jeans as my foot bounces with nerves.

As the tables around me begin to fill with people in jumpsuits, I start feeling like I’m in an episode of ‘Orange Is the New Black.’ This is ridiculous. What am I doing here?

It all becomes startlingly clear when Gina walks through the door. I’ve never laid my eyes on her before but it’s as clear as day that this is her. After all, dad was right; she looks just like me. In fact, I’m her spitting image.

Her hair is the same golden blonde and she even keeps it cut at the same length. She looks about my height and while I’m pretty damn confident with my body, I’d dare say hers is absolute banging. I mean, she looks as though she’d be pretty damn toned under that jumpsuit.

My eyes travel over her face. Same nose, same hairline, same bone structure. She’s me in twenty years. There’s a scowl on her lips, and a sharp glare piercing into me. I have no doubt she knows exactly who I am. If she didn’t know me by name, she sure as hell has worked it out now. I mean, how could she not? It would be like looking in a mirror.

Gina’s brow raises and she strides towards me with arrogance. I instantly tense myself, ready for some kind of showdown, but when she gingerly takes her seat before me and taps her long, red nails on the table, I being to relax.

“So,” she says, her eyes roaming over my face. “You know then?”

I nod my head, unable to find the right words to say.

“What are you doing here?” Gina prompts, looking unimpressed with my presence before her.

“I need answers,” I tell her, trying to sound brave, but let’s face it, my voice broke and I look absolutely terrified of this woman.

Gina scoffs and slowly shakes her head. “You’ve come to the wrong place, kid,” she tells me. “I haven’t got anything you need. You’re better off without me.”

Gina raises from her chair and goes to leave when I begin to panic. “I’m going to come back every single day until I get what I need,” I warn her. She apparently doesn’t care as she continues walking away, so I play my Ace. “Your son, Samuel; he’s one of my best friends.”

Gina freezes before whipping around and striding back towards me. She leans on the table, attempting to appear intimidating. “Samuel is dead to me,” she tells me, but the fact that she turned and walked back to me tells me she’s a liar. Apparently, there are a few differences between us after all, but why am I so disappointed by that?

“Really?” I question, leaning forward onto my elbows and giving her that same intimidating look right back at her. I mean, who did she think she was messing with here? I’m her daughter for fuck’s sake. “So, you’re not interested in the recent photo I have of him or knowing what the hell he’s been up to these past few years?”

Gina clenches her jaw and it’s damn clear that she wants everything I’ve got on him. “I’ll tell you what,” I say. “For every question of mine you answer, I’ll answer one of yours. Besides, it’s not like you’ve got anything better to do.”

She lets out a breath and before I know it, she’s sliding back down onto the chair, facing me with a whole new appreciation. “Seems you’re a little more like me than I thought.”

“Is that a good thing?”

Gina bounces a brow before a smirk crosses her lips. “I guess we’re about to find out,” she mutters before holding up a hand, indicating for me to get started.