Bambina sized up Luca with a dismissive glance and turned to leave with her entourage. "That little Luca is actually a boy," she commented, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Natus's jaw dropped in shock, and Freddy helped him close his mouth. "Luca is a boy, and to make matters worse, he's the twin brother of that fox!" he exclaimed.
Jane shot Natus a withering glare and dragged Luca away. Once they were in a quiet spot, Jane sat Luca down. The library was vast and nearly empty, a peaceful oasis on the first day of school.
Luca's stubborn nature had him refusing to speak, despite being visibly shaken by the revelation. Jane's eyes locked onto his. "Luca, please tell me, who are my parents?"
Luca's silence wasn't driven by greed or malice, but by shock and disbelief. How could he have a twin? Why had their father kept this secret from him?
"Luca, I've grown up knowing my parents are dead. Won't you relieve me of all this suffering?" Jane's serious expression was unwavering.
"Suffering? You've grown up knowing Mom, talking to Mom, Mom even takes you to school," Luca's voice cracked as he spoke. The mere mention of his mom brought tears to his eyes. He yearned to be pampered by her, to be called cute, and to have her take him to school.
Jane noticed Luca's watery eyes and gently wiped away his tears. She cupped his face in her hands. "Look at me, Luca. I don't have parents. I've never had parents. Grandpa told me he adopted me from an orphanage because of my cute face."
A tear rolled down Jane's cheek as she gazed at Luca. "Do you think it's a coincidence that Aunt Jane offered us the same wristbands? It's destiny, Luca. We were born from the same womb."
Luca's eyes widened, unsure of the meaning, but sensing its importance.
"My mom's name is Gabrielle Thompson, and my father's name is Khan. Anderson,"
She always felt a connection to Aunt Gabby. The way she holds her pen, smiles, the way her lips move when she talk and even the shape of her eyes where same as Jane's.
Luca's eyes locked onto Jane's, and for a moment, his egoism faded. "Does Mom know about us?" Jane asked, her gaze piercing.
Luca hesitated before responding. "Dad told me Mom deleted her memories because she went mad, and I shouldn't talk to her or she'll return to that state."
Jane's expression turned determined. "What if we brought our parents back together?"
Luca forced his face out of Jane's tiny palms. Looking dashingly pensive, his brown hair fell delicately in front of his face, slightly distinguishing him from Jane.
"If Mom gets back her memory, she will be mad," Luca said, already looking defeated.
"Yeah, but who said we're going to make Aunt Gabby - no, Mom - regain her memory?" Jane suggested, spitting out words most six-year-old children couldn't. "I'm going to make Mom adopt me, and both of us will get Mom and Dad together as a couple. They'll get married with us as their kids."
She forwarded her little white hand for a handshake. Luca hesitated for a moment before grasping it, but Jane ended up pulling the little guy into an embrace.
"I'm sure I'm the elder," Jane commented as they hugged.
That's adorable!
Luca's face turned bright red as he struggled to free himself from Jane's tight hug. "No way, I'm the elder!" he protested, his voice muffled against Jane's shoulder.
Jane giggled and held him closer. "Nope, I'm definitely the elder. I can feel it."
As they pulled back from their hug, Jane's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You know what? Let's make a bet. Whoever helps Mom and Dad get back together first gets to be the elder."
Luca's eyes widened with excitement. "Game on!"