My fingers curl at my sides, something hot pushing through my chest. People talk like I got everything handed to me. Like I didn’t pay for it.
Like I didn’t lose the one person that actually mattered. Money? I’d burn all of it if it meant having my mom back.
“And?” I finally ask, my voice flat.
“I did everything he asked. Everything.” His jaw tightens. “And the second things went wrong, he dropped me like I was nothing. You wanna know why I’m over here?” he asks, his voice quieter now. “Why I’m on your side?”
My eyes narrow slightly. “Enlighten me.”
“Because I’m done.” He shakes his head once. “I’ve spent my whole life trying to buy care from people who were supposed to give it to me for free. Doing whatever it takes just to feel… safe. His gaze flicks away, then back to me. “And it n
