My stepdad, Tim, raised me since I was 8

” I say, my voice cracking.

His lips twitch, trying not to show the pain. “Your dad paid for everything. He said—”

“I don’t care what he said. I care what you did. You were willing to disappear for me, to make him comfortable. But that’s not how this goes.”

My heart pounds as I reach for his hand.

“Come with me.”

He pulls his hand back. “I don’t want to continue reading …