At the time, the birthday card pissed me off. It felt insulting, like trying to patch a bullet wound with a Band-Aid. But now, I’m grateful for it because the return address is the only reason I know where to go.
The drive back to Claremont Shores is tense and quiet, with Hunter scrolling mindlessly on his phone, music blaring through his earbuds. Last night, it felt like we were closer than ever. Now, it feels like we’re a million miles apart.
When the GPS announces the turn, my stomach twists into a knot. Stephen’s house comes into view: wide driveway, shiny burgundy sedan in the garage, flowerbeds trimmed neat and perfect. It makes me sick.
I park at the curb and kill the engine. For a moment, I can’t move. My hands are glued to the wheel.
“Mase?” Hunter asks softly, removing an earbud.
I shake my head and push the door handle. “Stay here.”
He bites his bottom lip. “What will you say to him?”
“I’m going to ask him if he stole my sister.”
I shove the door open, but Hunter’s hand darts out and grabs my wrist. His touch is warm, desperate. “And then what? What are you gonna do if she’s here?”
I don’t look at him. If I do, I’ll hesitate and think about the consequences, and I can’t do that. I need to act.
“I said—stay.”
I wrench free and slam the door shut hard enough to rattle the side mirrors. My shoes glide over the smooth pavement as I march up the pristine walkway, every step vibrating with anger. I can feel Hunter’s eyes burning holes in my back through the windshield.
The front door is decorated with a goddamn floral wreath, like his house is showcased on one of those HGTV shows. I jab the doorbell. Once. Twice. My heart hammers with each second that drags by.
Finally, the door creaks open. Stephen stands there in a faded flannel shirt and jeans. His face drains of color the second he sees me.
“Mason,” he says, voice tight, hands twitching at his sides. “What are you doing here? You know where I live?”
I ignore him. “Is Maddie here?”
Stephen hesitates, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Now, wait, Mason—”
“Tell me,” I growl.
Before he can spin a lie, movement catches my eye. In the hallway behind him, Maddie appears. Her eyes go wide, her mouth falling open in shock when she sees me.
That’s all it takes.
I don’t think. I don’t breathe. My fist flies forward and cracks against Stephen’s jaw. The impact jolts up my arm, a flash of pain shooting through me as Stephen stumbles back, clutching his face.
“Mason, stop!” Maddie gasps, rushing to our father’s side.
I barely register the sound of the truck door slamming behind me. Hunter calls my name, desperate and frantic as he runs toward me.
“What the fuck did you do?!” Hunter shouts, grabbing my shoulder to pull me away, but I shrug him off.
“Get back in the truck, Hunter.”
“No! You’re being an idiot!” His voice is sharp, almost breaking. “If you do this, you’ll ruin your chances at custody.”
I know he’s right, but I can’t see logic beyond the burning rage flashing behind my eyelids.
Stephen steadies himself, rubbing his cheek. “It’s okay. I probably deserved that,” he admits hoarsely.
“How long?” I demand, fists clenched.
Stephen swallows. “What—”
