Colin
I slide the key into the lock, but it doesn't turn. I try again.Nothing.
My hand tightens around the key as I stare at the doorbell, realizing I might actually have to knock…on my own damn house. The thought alone burns through me, humiliation crawling hot beneath my skin.
The door swings open before I can move. Ethan stands there, his expression dark, fury blazing in his eyes.
Mark follows close behind, closing the door gently before placing a steadying hand on Ethan's shoulder.
I clench my teeth, forcing control into my voice. “Son—"
But Ethan cuts me off, his tone edged with anger. “What are you doing here?”
The way he looks at me…pure contempt. The way he speaks, as if my presence alone were something foul in the air.
“I need to speak to your mom, Ethan. It’s been three days, and I haven’t seen you or Alicia for almost a week,” I say, keeping my voice steady, though the words scrape their way out of me.
Ethan crosses his arms and steps forward.
“Right. Because you used to see us every day. You used to spendallyour free time with us,” he says, his mouth twisting. “Isn’t that how it was?”
Ceci told him. The way he emphasizedall your free timeleaves no room for doubt.
“This is also my house,” I start, my voice rising despite myself. “I have the right to come in and—”
That’s all it takes. Ethan snaps.
He jabs a finger hard into my chest, his face inches from mine, heat and fury pouring off him.
“This is my mom’s home,” he growls. “Hers. Mine. Alicia’s.”
His finger presses harder, as if he wants the words to bruise.
“We’re the ones who made this house a home. We’re the ones who lived through your absence—” His voice drops, turnsvicious. “—while you were out there stabbing my mom in the back, spending time with your whore.”
My stomach drops; the air leaves my lungs in one brutal blow. I force myself to stay upright, to breathe.
“I’m still your father, Ethan. You owe me respect. Ceci is my wife. You shouldn’t meddle in what happens between your mother and me.”
He steps back, his expression twisting, bitter, carrying something deeper beneath the anger.
Nothing but hurt and betrayal.
“Mom won’t be your wife for much longer.”
The words haven’t even fully registered when he continues. His voice is trembling, but clear.
“You’re not my father. Not my dad. You’renothingto me. My dad taught me how to swim, how to ride a bike. He was the one walking the halls with Alicia in his arms at night when she could only sleep against his chest.”
Each word hits like a strike, heavier than the last, until I'm left standing there… stripped bare.
He stops, his voice fracturing, his face contorted with pain. "My dad would never.Neverhurt my mom. He would never destroy our family. He would never trade us for money and easy pussy."
He spits the last words out, each one soaked in disgust and hate, and they land harder than any punch ever could.
“My dad died years ago. You’re not even a shadow of that man.”
I swallow hard, the knot in my throat tightening until it burns.
