Aliya’s POV

“So, you’re telling me that you’re an imposter and my real dad has been dead for years?” I asked, eyes wide with disbelief.

At this point, I thought I was prepared for anything they could throw at me, but this? This was the cruelest truth anyone could hand a person moments before death. Because of course I wasn’t going to get out of here alive.

“Yes,” he answered with a steady nod.

A sharp, hysterical laugh burst out of me. “I’m sure this is some kind of TikTok prank. Where are the cameras? You can bring them out now so we all laugh, you both head back to...