Stolen Life, Broken Heart

s in the guest house, a small cottage on the edge of the sprawling estate that my real moth

, but I heard the explosion

the imposter trailing behind her like a shadow. She

She held a crumpled piece of

n my face. "You're trying to say Leo wasn't mine?

, her nails scratching at my face. "You bastard

one of faux concern. "Sophia, calm down. He

ece of work, Ethan. Using your own son's memory

report, designed to push Sophia over the edge, to make h

ing finger at the door. "Get out of my house!

salvage and throwing them out onto the lawn. The stuffed triceratops

ed, her voice raw. "If I see your face aga

ly picking up each of Leo's cherished items from the we

ove away. There was nothing l

ll, anonymous apartment I had rented. One by one, I threw ev

tural awards that weren't mine. The photos of

the last photo of Sophia and me curled into blackness, I felt a sense

s called me. She was so

l, Ryan. She said... she said I'm no

d, my voice hard. "

help you. I have her diary. I have bank statements showing the

it. Her help was tainted by five years of co

iscreet man with a reputation for digging up secrets others wanted buried.

cret, every lie, every skeleton in their close

ity. I arranged a private ceremony for Leo. There were no crowds, no fa

ce, not for solace. I prayed for strength.

my phone buzzed. It w

bad PR right now. She told mom to 'get over it' an

gne on a yacht while my son's spirit was being guided

orse. No grief.

e their c