Chapter 1 — A Classroom Discovery
Claire stared down at the student’s family tree drawing in her hands, her breath catching in her throat.
The colorful construction paper was covered in careful, childish handwriting.
Two names sat proudly at the top of the branching lines.
Only one of them belonged to the man Claire knew.
“Why am I finding out like this?”
Marcus stepped into the hallway, his expression tense as he looked at her.
“He uses both names, Claire. Because both of us show up for him.”
She shook her head, tears threatening to spill as she faces him.
“He shouldn’t have to choose who gets to be called family.”