Chapter 154

The next morning, Selene’s words still replayed in Lydia’s head: He is not your father.

She sat at the kitchen table, her chin propped in her hands, staring at her untouched bowl of porridge. Mary chatted softly in the corner, going over the day’s lesson plans, but Lydia barely listened.

Her mother’s anger hurt worse than the teasing at school. She had thought Mom would be happy. Instead, she yelled.

Why doesn’t she understand?

“Eat, Lydia,” Selene said, sliding a plate onto the table.

Lydia pouted, pushing the spoon around in circles. She wanted to shout, “He is my daddy, you’re just too scared to admit it.” But...