After My Father’s Funeral, My Stepmother Left Me Behind and Claimed Everything—Then I Called the Number Dad Had Hidden in My Pocket

“Yes.”

“Because whatever mistakes your father and I made with each other, you were never part of them.”

Noah swallowed.

“You are my nephew.”

The call ended.

For the first time since Vanessa’s SUV disappeared down the road, Noah felt there might be somewhere he belonged.

PART 3 — GRACE’S HOUSE

The hours before Daniel arrived felt endless.

Grace lived in a modest one-story house with pale yellow walls and a porch that tilted slightly on one side.

There were potted plants everywhere.