“You thought,” I said. “But you didn’t ask.”

“They’re family now,” he replied.

Family. He said it like that word gave everyone permission to erase me.

That night, I slept in the small room—not because I agreed, but because I was too exhausted to fight five strangers and my son at the same time.

Part 2

The next morning, I woke to the smell of bacon and loud continue reading …