It was the first time in two years that Mom was traveling for a business trip since marrying her new husband after the divorce from my biological dad. She'd been trying to spend more time with her handsome new partner, even arranging to work from home by taking special permission from the office.

But now, it was an emergency situation so she had to leave, trusting my stepdad to handle me like his own daughter.

However, he had other plans on how to handle me.

She had barely pulled out of the driveway when the house settled into silence. Too quiet. Too still.

I sank into the couch, remote in...