My husband took my stepdaughter to Christmas with his ex and told me I wasn’t her real mother—so I chose myself, walked away, and rebuilt a life they never saw coming.

“Sweetie,” Renata said gently, “we’re going to have so much fun.”

Camila did not look at her.

Alexander crouched beside his daughter. “Camila, say goodbye to Mariana.”

Mariana flinched at the use of her name. So did Camila.

“She’s Mom,” Camila whispered.

Alexander closed his eyes. “Camila—”

“She’s continue reading …