Panacea

I clamped a hand over my mouth, but a gasping sob still escaped. ‘Honey, what happened? Did the directors at Candour give you grief? Did the meeting not go well?’ I shook my head, unable to get a word out. ‘Amiyah, are you at the office? I hear birds. So that means no. Where are you right now? I’m on my way.’ My hands stopped shaking long enough for me to send him my location. The V Group’s headquarters was just down the street. Kieran was in front of me five minutes later. He squatted down, panting. ‘Amiyah, honey, talk to me,’ he coaxed in a gentle voice as he lifted my face with a finger. ‘What happened?’ He wiped away my tears with his thumb. ‘I’m not, I’m not…’ I gripped the lapel of his charcoal black suit, hyperventilating. ‘It’s okay, it’s okay. Take your time.’ He ran a soothing hand over my back. ‘I was adopted. I’m not my parents’ daughter, Kieran, I’m not.’ My teeth chattered as I squeezed out the words. Kieran removed his coat, draped it around my shoulders along with his