Daddy, can we invite my real dad over for Father’s Day dinner

from her face.

The spoon slips from her hand and clatters onto the counter.

For a long second nobody says anything.

The air is thick.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

“Emily,” Daniel says quietly.

She stares at him like she’s looking at a ghost.

Then her eyes dart to me.

“Mark… I can explain.”

I let out a shaky breath.

“Oh, I’m sure you can.”

Lily looks between us, completely continue reading …