Raven: His First Everything

33|Reconnecting

Raven's POV

I stared at the picture Selene—my mom, gave me.

The longer I look at the picture, the more similarities I see between us.

For example, the shape of her eyes.

They were the same as mine—slightly almond shaped, with a soft tilt at the corners.

Her nose, too, had that same subtle curve I'd always thought was unique to me.

But it wasn't just the physical features.

There was something in her expression—a quiet strength in the way she smiled at the camera.

It was like she was trying to keep something back.

It hit me like a punch to the chest, because I'd seen that same look in the mirror more times than I could count.

I didn't want to admit it.

Didn't want to acknowledge the connection.

But the longer I stared at the picture, the harder it became to deny.

She wasn't just Selene.

She was really and truly my mom.

And with Ryan, there was no doubt about it.

I already knew we were twins, but I always convinced myself it was because of mom and dad's—I mean my grandparents'—strong genes.

These two were really my parents.

A throat cleared before I looked up to see Sophie standing in front of me.

I quickly put away the picture.

"Sorry, I'll come and help now," I told her, but she held me back.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't know what was happening in your life."

I shook my head, knowing that it was my jealousy of her that took over.

"It's fine," I told her. "I should have never taken my anger out on you."

Her eyes softened, and I remembered that wasn't the person I kept building in my head.

She's just a nice person who is allowed to like Cassian.

It's not like I'm in love with the guy or anything.

We kiss every now and then.

We haven't even had sex as yet.